outward

[out-werd]

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.

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

/ 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

adverb

1. (of a ship) away from port

2. a variant of outwards

noun

1. the outward part; exterior

Other Word Forms

• outwardness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of outward¹

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

Example Sentences

Ama has her hand pushed outward, with an Adinkra symbol scratched into her palm—an illustration that looks like a flower petal with an open center.

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Throughout its life, a star keeps a stable spherical shape because gravity pulls inward while pressure from nuclear fusion pushes outward.

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"Instead of openness, cooperation and outward focus, the environment has too often felt toxic, exclusionary and deeply disheartening."

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The work suggests a possible path toward future cancer therapies that focus on the genetic drivers of disease rather than its outward effects.

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When the seafloor springs up, it shoves millions of gallons of water upward and outward.

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Related Words

• apparent 
• noticeable