outdoor

American  

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

adjective

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

   an outdoor barbecue; outdoor sports.

2. outdoorsy.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of outdoor

First recorded in 1740–50; out- + door

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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

At an outdoor Mass, Pope Leo spoke of "declining birth rates that are emptying villages," and the unequal distribution of the land's resources.

From BBC ● Nov. 15, 2026

Vendors including Gardenuity, StartOrganic and KraftyLab, a unit of Nextech3D.ai, typically ship premeasured gardening kits to corporate clients’ employees for home or office desk plants or outdoor company gardens.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 11, 2026

The home boasts four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, a powder room, a dedicated pool bathroom, and an outdoor shower.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026

"We do a lot of outdoor activity," he said.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

We shared our outdoor play space with chickens and pigs.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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Related Words

• rustic

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