externality

[ ek-ster-nal-i-tee ]

noun

, plural ex·ter·nal·i·ties.

1. the state or quality of being external to or outside someone or something; the fact of being outer, outward, or on the surface:

   A child just learning to speak already has a sense of the externality of the world.

2. something external; an outward feature, or all outward features considered together:

   One can be too preoccupied with the externalities of religion.

3. excessive attention to external or outward features; superficiality:

   The article explores the externality of identity in a world of media-constructed self-image.

4. a side effect of some process or activity, especially a negative effect of an economic activity that is not accounted for in the price of what is produced:

   Externalities such as air pollution are sometimes eliminated through government regulation.

   They argue that there is an externality from breeding new pets, as the cute babies crowd out older pets.

Other Words From

• non·ex·ter·nal·i·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of externality¹

First recorded in 1665–75; external + -ity

Example Sentences

Animal meat gets to externalize a lot of its negatives — externalities like health care, ecological, worker welfare, animal welfare.

From Vox

I think noise is one of the oldest externalities that we’ve had to deal with, and it is a natural byproduct of a lot of things that you want to do.

From Freakonomics

If these externalities hadn’t been acknowledged, perhaps we’d still be coughing in smoke-filled workplaces, planes, and restaurants.

From MIT Technology Review

Instead, technology companies must address the negative externalities of unchecked conspiracy theories and misinformation and redesign their products so that this content reaches fewer people.

From MIT Technology Review

In any case, there is a growing concern in many quarters over the externalities of meat production.

From Freakonomics

The externality, the pompousness of intention, the theatrical postures, was part of the romantic constitution.

From Project Gutenberg

There was in it a certain quality of externality that gained edge from the contrast with Mrs. Venables' all-reaching intimacy.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence, while he does not altogether avoid the poet as a character, his poets are drawn with a curious externality and detachment.

From Project Gutenberg

This superficiality or at least externality of relations is the source of actual conflict.

From Project Gutenberg

Is not all this semblance of externality in things a blessed foil to spiritual activity?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• area
• expanse
• exterior
• facade
• façade
• face
• level
• side
• skin
• top