Scotland · preposition, adverb, adjective, noun, and verb
outwith
Outside, beyond, or not included within a stated limit.
Uses your device’s built-in voice. Pronunciation is approximate because available voices and Scottish accents vary.
What outwith means
Outwith is a concise Scottish word meaning outside or beyond. It often marks something that falls beyond a place, group, rule, time period, or area of responsibility.
How it is used
It appears in ordinary speech and in formal Scottish writing. Phrases such as 'outwith office hours' or 'outwith the city' are direct equivalents of 'outside office hours' and 'outside the city'.
- Part of speech
- preposition, adverb, adjective, noun, and verb
- Pronunciation
- Usually close to OUT-with; pronunciation varies by speaker
- Register
- Neutral in Scotland; can sound distinctly Scottish elsewhere.
- Variants
- ootwith
Examples
Each example is followed by its intended plain-English meaning.
Calls received outwith office hours will be answered tomorrow.
Calls received outside office hours will be answered tomorrow.
The village lies outwith the council boundary.
The village lies beyond the council boundary.
What to watch for
Outwith is not merely playful slang. It is used in formal, professional, and institutional Scottish English as well as conversation.