The word ‘outwith’

[HBStowe]

Trying to settle an argument with a colleague. He’s English and works in England, I’m Scottish and work in Scotland (in case it’s relevant).

So... do you use / regularly come across the word ‘outwith’? I.e. ‘If you are trying to email me outwith opening hours please use my personal address’.

My colleague says it’s not a real word. I say it definitely is and I encounter it all the time. Is this a thing? Is it a proper word? I notice it’s underlined in red on my phone which doesn’t bode well, but I am absolutely certain I’ve seen this word in use before in other places.

What’s the verdict MN?

Not a word. Sorry.

I've never heard this and it doesn't seem to make sense in that context. Do you mean forthwith?

It is the opposite of within

It's a perfectly cromulent word, but it makes you sound a bit pretentious when "outside" and "beyond" are usually perfectly good substitutes.

Only heard Scottish people use it

I first heard it on here and was told nit was a Scottish word. As someone living less than one hundred miles from the border, in England, I'd never heard it until in my thirties

I use it. It makes sense, and nobody has ever been confused when I've used it.

What does this word mean??

It means outside. I think it's a real word.

I’ve only heard Scottish people use it. It’s a good word.

Just googled it and it means beyond or outside of. Maybe it's an archaic word that still persists in some areas?

I am English. Never heard of it.

Of course it's a word! It means outside of or beyond.
It's not in common use in England though.

I use this phrase frequently, but “outwith” is not a word, at least not according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Never heard it. Why would you use it when ‘outside of business hours’ makes so much more sense?

I'm a Scot in England- it's definitely a Scottish dialect word, pretty much only used by Scots. But it is easily understandable to anyone else!

I love it but have only heard it used in Scotland by friends and family up there. Such a useful word though!

Definitely different to forthwith. It specifically means ‘outside of’ (agree that’s an acceptable substitute!). It’s a word I use automatically / without thinking. I wonder if it’s a Scottish thing.

(Obviously hoping it’s not just an HBStowe thing or I will look like a bit of a twat)

Just googled it. It is a word meaning outside.

It's Scottish apparently but I don't understand how others live without it (outwith it?), I use it fairly regularly

I use it regularly. It's definitely a word, but really only used in Scotland for some reason.

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/outwith

It's a word! Just a Scottish one

Oh sorry, cross posted with lots of you! Does look like it’s maybe a Scottish thing

It's certainly a word I recognise and understand although I can't say I've ever used it. I'm English btw.
The main dictionaries all list it as Scottish English.

It is a word.
Just not a word used in England.
Which is fine.

What do people put on their email auto replies in England though? I fret for the English.

Of course it's a word! Just because it's not used in your neck of the woods doesn't make it of a word