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.
The company holds the keys to outer space for many companies and for the U.S. government, dominating the rocket-launch industry with few rivals capable of challenging it.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 18, 2026
The protective barrier has been repaired and the outer dog exclusion zone has been put in place on the surrounding area of beach to try to prevent any distress for the terns.
From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026
I pawed through the outer lands of my mother’s closet before asking if I could alter a navy trapeze-style dress she no longer wore.
From Salon • Jun. 12, 2026
Take your pick of restaurants spread across the outer boroughs, but Samarkand Nights is a wise place to start.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
I stare into her almond-shaped eyes, light brown on the outer rim; a glowing, dark center.
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
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.
