outer
Americanadjective
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situated on or toward the outside; external; exterior.
outer garments; an outer wall.
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situated farther out or farther from the center.
the outer reaches of space.
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of or relating to the external world.
adjective
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being or located on the outside; external
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further from the middle or central part
noun
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archery
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the white outermost ring on a target
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a shot that hits this ring
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the unsheltered part of the spectator area at a sports ground
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informal excluded or neglected
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of outer
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at out, -er 4
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.
Experts say to get rid of the outer layers on a head of lettuce, and then wash the inner layers in cold running water.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
The real show starts when the enormous outer layer called a spathe opens up, revealing a deep reddish interior.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
Jegede said most root vegetables like potatoes and carrots, along with any fruit that has an outer layer, can be washed to remove potential contaminants, even if they were covered in ash.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026
The featured object is NGC 6426, a globular cluster located in the outer halo of the Milky Way.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 5, 2026
A collective groan came from the people in the outer room.
From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
