outdoors

American  

[out-dawrz, -dohrz] / ˌaʊtˈdɔrz, -ˈdoʊrz /

adverb

1. out of doors; in the open air.

   He's happiest when he's outdoors.

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noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the world outside of or away from houses; open air.

   Our whole family likes the outdoors.

adjective

1. outdoor.

outdoors British  

/ ˌaʊtˈdɔːz /

adverb

1. Also: out-of-doors.  in the open air; outside

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noun

1. the world outside or far away from human habitation

   the great outdoors

outdoors Idioms  

1. see big as life (all outdoors).

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Etymology

Origin of outdoors

1810–20; earlier out ( of ) doors

Example Sentences

At a hospital just outside General Santos, the region's largest city, AFP reporters heard cries of "push" then an infant's cries as a mother gave birth outdoors behind a makeshift screen.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

As The Times’ wildlife and outdoors reporter, I felt immediate concern for the island’s critters and plants.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

The scientific community in Boulder, a city with a vibrant outdoors culture and trendy restaurants, largely depends on federal subsidies.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

A major reason for the lower number of injuries is that children today are sequestered at home in front of computer screens rather than playing outdoors.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

We sat close together with our knees pulled up, pleasantly tired after a day spent outdoors, eating our ice cream quickly and wordlessly, trying to stay ahead of the melt.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• garden