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?

Of course it's a word!

It's not generally used outwith Scotland.

Literally never heard it before. I'm in Ireland.

Definitely Scottish. Means "outside of" not just "outside", kind of the opposite of within. I like it and use it myself (am in Glasgow).

It’s a word, found out recently it’s scottish only. I didn’t realise it wasn’t used outwith scotland.

Just show your colleague a dictionary and revel in your rightness. He is outwith those who understand it's meaning.

Here you go www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/sndns2778

I’m English and have used it, not very often though.

NoonAim 👌👍😂🤣❤

“outwith” is not a word, at least not according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Yes it is. Defined as:

"Now chiefly Scottish. [...] In a position or place outside of; situated or located outside of; beyond. Also figurative."

Yes, it's a word! I use it, and I'm English.

Yep definitely a word, used all the time here in the west of Scotland.

Also it's such a good word as it has a lot of subtleties of meaning that other words don't quite cover. 'Outside of' doesn't quite mean the same in some situations.

Definitely a word!

It shares meaning with "without", as in the hymn "There is a green hill far away, without a city wall".

Now I feel sorry for those in England who don’t have it as a word it’s such a useful one!

Can tell colleague on Monday we are sort of both right

I’m Scottish and it’s a very Scottish word. I love it though. I hardly ever use it though since living in England.

I would tend to use it in more formal/business speech. ‘your point is out with the remit of this meeting’.

Send your colleague a link to an online dictionary.

It's a Scottish word meaning outside/ beyond

I was working abroad in an English school and used this word in Reports, i.e John cannot apply these skills outwith the lesson. HT insisted I remove it completely as it wasn't a word?!? I was totally perplexed as absolutely
everyday usage in West of Scotland .

I am outwith friends on Friday.

It's Scottish.

Am positive when I was at school we sang :

There is a green hill far away
Outwith a city wall

I’m English, I’ve heard of it and until today I didn’t know it was mostly a Scottish word!

P.s .. it's a feckin great wee word

@Deux I think you’re right, I mostly use it at work. Although now I think I should stop, because almost all of my clients are English.

It’s only really used in Scotland, I only found this out in my last job when my predominantly English client base didn’t know what it meant.

It's a Scots legal term as far as I'm aware. I've only ever come across it in correspondence with Scots lawyers.