external

[ik-stur-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.

noun

1. the outside; outer surface; exterior.

2. something that is external.

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

external

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of external¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of external¹

C15: from Latin externus outward, from exterus on the outside, from ex out of

Example Sentences

The external threat comes at a tough time for the region: Domestic demand, particularly consumption, remains below pre-pandemic levels in many countries, it said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the agreement doesn’t require UVA to pay a fine, and there will be no external monitor to police the university’s compliance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He acknowledged, however, that the external review of its risk management may act as an overhang on the stock for the next three to six months.

Read more on MarketWatch

Earlier versions of artificial eye devices required external power sources and cables that extended outside the eye.

Read more on Science Daily

Fifa declined to comment when approached by BBC Sport, and also declined to answer detailed questions about its sustainability strategy and contingency plans, external in the event extreme weather forces a change to the schedule.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• extraneous 
• foreign