Dictionary.com

external

[ ik-stur-nl ]
/ ɪkˈstɜr nl /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: external / externals / externally on Thesaurus.com

adjective
noun
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of external

Late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at extern, -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM external

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH external

extraneous, external , extrinsic
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use external in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for external

external
/ (ɪkˈstɜːnəl) /

adjective
noun
(often plural) an external circumstance or aspect, esp one that is superficial or inessential
Australian and NZ a student taking an extramural subject

Derived forms of external

externally, adverb

Word Origin for external

C15: from Latin externus outward, from exterus on the outside, from ex out of
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK