Outskirts
'aʊtskɜːrts
Definitions
The areas that form the edge of a town or city.
'aʊtskɜːrts
The outer parts of a town or city.
They live on the outskirts of the city.
💡 Simply: Imagine a city like a big circle. The outskirts are the area *just* outside that circle, where the houses and shops start to thin out, and you might find more fields or parks.
👶 For kids: The edges of a town or city.
More Examples
The factory is located on the outskirts of town.
We drove through the outskirts on our way to the countryside.
How It's Used
"The outskirts of a city often have a different character than the city center."
"Housing on the outskirts tends to be more affordable than in the city core."
From 'out' + 'skirts', with 'skirt' originally referring to the edge or border of something. The term evolved to describe the area surrounding a city or town.
Historically, the term 'outskirts' has been used similarly, but it's usage expanded as cities grew and became more defined.
Memory tip
Think of the 'skirts' of a dress – they're the outer edges. Outskirts are the outer edges of a town.
Word Origin
"out (outside) + skirt (edge, border)"