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

At a hospital just outside General Santos, the region's largest city, AFP reporters heard cries of "push" then an infant's cries as a mother gave birth outdoors behind a makeshift screen.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

People should have access to healthy food, people should be able to spend time with their children, people should all have access to the outdoors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

As The Times’ wildlife and outdoors reporter, I felt immediate concern for the island’s critters and plants.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

The scientific community in Boulder, a city with a vibrant outdoors culture and trendy restaurants, largely depends on federal subsidies.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

One morning she boiled molasses and sugar together until they made a thick syrup, and Pa brought in two pans of clean, white snow from outdoors.

From "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Related Words

• garden