exterior
Americanadjective
-
outer; being on the outer side.
the exterior surface; exterior decorations.
- Synonyms:
- superficial, external, outside, outward
- Antonyms:
- interior
-
intended or suitable for outdoor use.
exterior paint.
-
situated or being outside; pertaining to or connected with what is outside.
the exterior territories of a country.
- Synonyms:
- extrinsic, foreign, extraneous, outlying
noun
-
a part, surface, or region that is on the outside
-
the observable outward behaviour or appearance of a person
-
a film or scene shot outside a studio
adjective
-
of, situated on, or suitable for the outside
exterior cleaning
-
coming or acting from without; external
exterior complications
-
of or involving foreign nations
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of exterior
1525–35; < Latin, comparative of exter or exterus on the outside, outward. See ex- 1
Explanation
Something that's exterior is on the outside of some structure or object. An exterior door on a house opens to the outdoors, rather than connecting one room to another. Exterior house paint is made for painting the shingles or siding of your home, not the walls of your living room, and the exterior finish of a car is on the outside. You can also use exterior as a noun, to mean the outside of something: "The exterior of this salad bowl is a weird shade of yellow." Exterior is a Latin word, a comparative of exterus, "on the outside, outward, or foreign."
Vocabulary lists containing exterior
UCPS 6th Grade Roots List #1
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"Building Design and Construction Handbook," Vocabulary from Section 1
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"Modern Automotive Technology," Vocabulary from Section 5
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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.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said crews had put out "a small fire affecting the exterior of the building" and the cause is being investigated alongside the Met Police.
From BBC • May 5, 2026
The only exterior detail I couldn’t come to terms with were the rose-gold accents in the headlamp assemblies.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026
From the exterior, the property is surrounded by lush greenery and offers panoramic views of the Pacific, creating a true natural sanctuary—one that also includes an abundance of fruit trees.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026
The proposed Safety Zone with stricter requirements to remove all vegetation would extend 1 foot from the exterior walls of a house.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026
Zach is utterly comfortable with the exterior presentation and accoutrements of his character.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
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.
