outer
Americanadjective
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situated on or toward the outside; external; exterior.
outer garments; an outer wall.
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situated farther out or farther from the center.
the outer reaches of space.
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of or relating to the external world.
adjective
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being or located on the outside; external
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further from the middle or central part
noun
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archery
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the white outermost ring on a target
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a shot that hits this ring
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the unsheltered part of the spectator area at a sports ground
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informal excluded or neglected
Other Word Forms
- outerness noun
Etymology
Origin of outer
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at out, -er 4
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"After lubricating the outer walls of the drain eventually we could get the hedgehog out."
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
This approach revealed a distinct "U-shaped" pattern in how stellar ages are distributed, which marks the outer limit of active star formation in our Galaxy.
From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2026
Meta Platforms is the latest technology company to see outer space as a potential solution to the artificial-intelligence power crunch.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization warns that this shift is increasing costs and reducing nutritional quality, particularly in outer island communities where fish has traditionally been the main source of protein.
From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026
Before Cherrie could blink, the fierce current yanked the outer canoe loose and knocked it on its side.
From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
