outdoors

American  

[out-dawrz, -dohrz] / ˌaʊtˈdɔrz, -ˈdoʊrz /

adverb

1. out of doors; in the open air.

   He's happiest when he's outdoors.

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noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the world outside of or away from houses; open air.

   Our whole family likes the outdoors.

adjective

1. outdoor.

outdoors British  

/ ˌaʊtˈdɔːz /

adverb

1. Also: out-of-doors.  in the open air; outside

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noun

1. the world outside or far away from human habitation

   the great outdoors

outdoors Idioms  

1. see big as life (all outdoors).

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Etymology

Origin of outdoors

1810–20; earlier out ( of ) doors

Example Sentences

They were outdoors working from dawn to dusk, and many ended up with frostbite on their hands and feet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

For the first two months at the Matsapha Correctional Centre, Rom said he and fellow deportees "went through misery" -- allowed outdoors for only 15 minutes a day and given one weekly phone call.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

In the winter, there’s an ice rink; in the summer, live music outdoors.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

We have not seen him play competitive golf outdoors since the Open of July 2024, his only action a nine-shot cameo in this week's TGL indoor simulator finals.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

But the Frisbys had always come to the garden, preferring the relative safety and freedom of the outdoors.

From "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien

Related Words

• garden