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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.


outdoorsy British  
/ ˌaʊtˈdɔːzɪ /

adjective

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

But she was drawn to San Francisco for the outdoorsy lifestyle and has been pleasantly surprised by both the social scene and how safe she feels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 20, 2025

Another outdoorsy commercial shows wild Rainiers being chased by motorized hunters.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 2, 2024

She was short and blond, with a clear pinkish complexion, outdoorsy and healthy, that made Ifemelu wonder if she rode horses.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie