external

American  

[ik-stur-nl] / ɪkˈstɜr nl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the outside or outer part; outer.

   an external surface.

   Synonyms:

   exterior, outermost

   Antonyms:

   internal

2. Medicine/Medical. to be applied to the outside of a body, as a remedy.

   for external use only.

3. situated or being outside something; acting or coming from without.

   external influences.

   Antonyms:

   internal

4. pertaining to the outward or visible appearance or show.

   external acts of worship.

5. pertaining to or concerned with foreign countries.

   external affairs;

   external commerce.

6. Zoology, Anatomy. on the side farthest from the body, the median line, or the center of a radially symmetrical form.

7. Metaphysics. of or relating to the world of things, considered as independent of the perceiving mind.

   external world.

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noun

1. the outside; outer surface; exterior.

2. something that is external.

3. externals, external features, circumstances, etc.; outward appearance; superficialities.

external British  

/ ɪkˈstɜːnəl /

adjective

1. of, situated on, or suitable for the outside; outer

2. coming or acting from without

   external evidence from an independent source

3. of or involving foreign nations; foreign

4. of, relating to, or designating a medicine that is applied to the outside of the body

5. anatomy situated on or near the outside of the body

   the external ear

6. education denoting assessment by examiners who are not employed at the candidate's place of study

7. (of a student) studying a university subject extramurally

8. philosophy (of objects, etc) taken to exist independently of a perceiving mind

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noun

1. (often plural) an external circumstance or aspect, esp one that is superficial or inessential

2. a student taking an extramural subject

Other Word Forms

• externally adverb
• nonexternal adjective
• nonexternally adverb
• quasi-external adjective
• quasi-externally adverb
• semiexternal adjective
• semiexternally adverb
• subexternal adjective
• subexternally adverb

Etymology

Origin of external

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; equivalent to extern + -al ¹

Example Sentences

However he says he could only make the switch when his side were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look like he was bowing to external noise.

From BBC

They're all included in new rules that can see independent breweries have their products sold at "tenant pubs", those owned by breweries but run by external people.

From BBC

In an interview with Piers Morgan last month, external, Ronaldo said he planned to retire from football "soon".

From BBC

The dispute is crucial to trans-Atlantic ties because Europe’s economic strength underpins its ability to arm itself against intensifying external threats.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is one of the UK's most-loved garden birds and along with species like wrens can still be heard singing, external long after some other species go quiet.

From BBC

Related Words

• extraneous
• foreign