outdoor

American  

[out-dawr, -dohr] / ˈaʊtˌdɔr, -ˌdoʊr /

adjective

1. Also characteristic of, located, occurring, or belonging outdoors.

   an outdoor barbecue; outdoor sports.

2. outdoorsy.

---

outdoor British  

/ ˈaʊtˈdɔː /

adjective

1. Also: out-of-door.  (prenominal) taking place, existing, or intended for use in the open air

   outdoor games

   outdoor clothes

---

Etymology

Origin of outdoor

First recorded in 1740–50; out- + door

Explanation

Things that are outdoor belong outside. Your slippers aren't outdoor shoes, but your snow boots are definitely outdoor shoes. A picnic is an outdoor meal, and a sculpture garden is often an outdoor area of a museum. Bird watching, surfing, and snowball fights are all outdoor activities, and if you're an outdoor enthusiast you probably enjoy them more than watching TV or baking cookies. The adjective outdoor was first used in the 1740s, with the related adverb outdoors following in the 1800s.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

outdoor

But the wildest party was on Wembley Way, where Fox Sports had an outdoor studio for its live pre-game show.

From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026

Floor-to-ceiling glass walls and sliding doors seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces, such as ocean-facing decks and a rare rooftop space.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026

The projects include replacing pavement with trees and landscaping, creating outdoor learning areas and improving playgrounds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

During a 2001 business trip to the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, the pair chatted on the plane ride, caught a free outdoor concert and went for a swim.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

Three days later, Daniel Ellsberg and his son Robert carried plates of barbequed chicken to an outdoor picnic table.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• rustic