outdoors

American  

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

adverb

1. out of doors; in the open air.

   He's happiest when he's outdoors.

---

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

---

noun

1. the world outside or far away from human habitation

   the great outdoors

outdoors Idioms  

1. see big as life (all outdoors).

---

Etymology

Origin of outdoors

1810–20; earlier out ( of ) doors

Example Sentences

Jayme, who loves to kayak and be outdoors, said she spent years feeling her Type 1 diabetes was slowly killing her.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

The nature program, once a full day outdoors, shrank to a 45-minute elective after some parents complained that their children were bored.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

He also likes to bring the outdoors in, pointing to the views of the estate’s grand oaks and pool from the second-floor bedroom.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Hundreds of guests in black tie in the ballroom took cover under tables and later made their way into the hotel lobby and then outdoors as the event was postponed.

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

At two weeks of age, he was moved outdoors.

From "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White

Related Words

• garden