exterior

American  

[ik-steer-ee-er] / ɪkˈstɪər i ər /

adjective

1. outer; being on the outer side.

   the exterior surface; exterior decorations.

   Synonyms:

   superficial, external, outside, outward

   Antonyms:

   interior

2. intended or suitable for outdoor use.

   exterior paint.

3. situated or being outside; pertaining to or connected with what is outside.

   the exterior territories of a country.

   Synonyms:

   extrinsic, foreign, extraneous, outlying

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noun

1. the outer surface or part; outside.

   Synonyms:

   face

   Antonyms:

   interior

2. outward form or appearance.

   She has a placid exterior, but inside she is tormented.

   Synonyms:

   aspect, mien

3. Mathematics. the collection of points not contained in the closure of a given set.

exterior British  

/ ɪkˈstɪərɪə /

noun

1. a part, surface, or region that is on the outside

2. the observable outward behaviour or appearance of a person

3. a film or scene shot outside a studio

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adjective

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

   exterior cleaning

2. coming or acting from without; external

   exterior complications

3. of or involving foreign nations

Other Word Forms

• exteriorly adverb

Etymology

Origin of exterior

1525–35; < Latin, comparative of exter or exterus on the outside, outward. See ex- ¹

Example Sentences

The front of the Tesla struck the concrete exterior of the building and sustained major damage.

From Los Angeles Times

New signage appeared on the building's exterior the following day.

From BBC

New signage was added the building's exterior the next day.

From BBC

First of all, it was almost exclusively the exterior of the famed home located at 671 Lincoln Ave. that was used for filming.

From MarketWatch

"If we assume that reactor-related technology has already been embedded and that the exterior was built around it, then we would have to assume a reactor is present inside the submarine," he said.

From Barron's

Related Words

• coating
• facade
• skin
• surface