outdoorsy

American  

[out-dawr-zee, -dohr-] / ˌaʊtˈdɔr zi, -ˈdoʊr- /

adjective

1. characteristic of or suitable to the outdoors.

   a rugged, outdoorsy life; heavy, outdoorsy clothes.

2. unusually fond of outdoor life.

   an outdoorsy type who always swam before breakfast.

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outdoorsy British  

/ ˌaʊtˈdɔːzɪ /

adjective

1. informal characteristic of, or taking part in activities relating to, the outdoors

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Etymology

Origin of outdoorsy

First recorded in 1950–55; outdoors + -y ¹

Explanation

If you're outdoorsy, you enjoy spending a lot of time outside. Outdoorsy people like to hike, climb mountains, ski, and do other sporty activities that can't be done indoors. Use the informal adjective outdoorsy to describe people who always seem to be out in the fresh air, especially if they're healthy, active, and a little bit windblown. Your outdoorsy friend might prefer hiking in the woods or swimming in the ocean to watching a movie with a big bowl of popcorn on her lap. You might even call her an outdoorswoman — that would also capture her fondness for the outdoors.

Example Sentences

I was outdoorsy and sporty, largely because girls back then were told by mothers that they were entitled to the same things as boys.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Morag added that she was "determined that my outdoorsy lifestyle can continue whilst having a family".

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

She identified more with the lifestyle here — it was more laid-back, outdoorsy, spacious.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Zhao Luchun, a civil servant, and Lu Jieyang, a teacher, a couple and both 28, bought waterproof jackets from Arc’teryx for about $800 each ahead of a recent vacation to Iceland, their first outdoorsy trip.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025

She isn’t the outdoorsy type, which is pretty pathetic considering our house is surrounded by fields and woods.

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass