outward

American  

[out-werd] / ˈaʊt wərd /

adjective

1. proceeding or directed toward the outside or exterior, or away from a central point.

   the outward flow of gold; the outward part of a voyage.

2. pertaining to or being what is seen or apparent, as distinguished from the underlying nature, facts, etc.; pertaining to surface qualities only; superficial.

   outward appearances.

3. belonging or pertaining to external actions or appearances, as opposed to inner feelings, mental states, etc..

   an outward show of grief.

4. that lies toward the outside; that is on the outer side; exterior.

   an outward court.

5. of or relating to the outside, outer surface, or exterior.

   to make repairs on the outward walls of a house.

6. pertaining to the outside of the body; external.

7. pertaining to the body, as opposed to the mind or spirit.

8. belonging or pertaining to what is external to oneself.

   outward influences.

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noun

1. that which is external; the external or material world.

2. outward appearance.

adverb

1. toward the outside; out.

2. visibly expressing one's inner feelings, mental state, etc.

3. away from port.

   a ship bound outward.

4. Obsolete. on the outside; externally.

outward British  

/ ˈaʊtwəd /

adjective

1. of or relating to what is apparent or superficial

2. of or relating to the outside of the body

3. belonging or relating to the external, as opposed to the mental, spiritual, or inherent

4. of, relating to, or directed towards the outside or exterior

5. (of a ship, part of a voyage, etc) leaving for a particular destination

6. 1. the body as opposed to the soul

   2. facetious clothing

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adverb

1. (of a ship) away from port

2. a variant of outwards

noun

1. the outward part; exterior

Other Word Forms

• outwardness noun

Etymology

Origin of outward

before 900; Middle English; Old English ūtweard. See out, -ward

Example Sentences

Seeing exactly how the ejecta blast outward and interact is key to explaining how shock waves form in novae.

From Science Daily

As ultraviolet rays travel outward, they pass through clouds of highly energized particles located very close to the black hole, a region known as the "corona."

From Science Daily

The arrangement is framed as gratitude, his thank-you to Elizabeth for helping him secure his first restaurant, but its implications ripple outward.

From Salon

China’s inward flows may have stalled, but its outward flows have not.

From Barron's

The simulations also showed strong winds flowing outward and, in some cases, the formation of powerful jets.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• apparent
• noticeable