outward
Americanadjective
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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.
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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.
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belonging or pertaining to external actions or appearances, as opposed to inner feelings, mental states, etc..
an outward show of grief.
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that lies toward the outside; that is on the outer side; exterior.
an outward court.
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of or relating to the outside, outer surface, or exterior.
to make repairs on the outward walls of a house.
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pertaining to the outside of the body; external.
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pertaining to the body, as opposed to the mind or spirit.
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belonging or pertaining to what is external to oneself.
outward influences.
noun
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that which is external; the external or material world.
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outward appearance.
adverb
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toward the outside; out.
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visibly expressing one's inner feelings, mental state, etc.
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away from port.
a ship bound outward.
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Obsolete. on the outside; externally.
adjective
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of or relating to what is apparent or superficial
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of or relating to the outside of the body
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belonging or relating to the external, as opposed to the mental, spiritual, or inherent
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of, relating to, or directed towards the outside or exterior
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(of a ship, part of a voyage, etc) leaving for a particular destination
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the body as opposed to the soul
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facetious clothing
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adverb
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(of a ship) away from port
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a variant of outwards
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of outward
before 900; Middle English; Old English ūtweard. See out, -ward
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.
But he adds: "I had lost something important that had, for all my outward advantages, enriched me as a kid."
From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026
Alice in “Bodies” was way more outward and kind of no filter, said every inside thought.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026
As the mini universe expands, it pushes outward against the inward pull of gravity.
From Science Daily • Jun. 14, 2026
Last year, Chinese outward direct investment rose 7.1% compared with a year earlier.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
Besides the fact that there are no good footholds past the first few feet, the top of the fence curls outward in swirls that are something like spikes.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
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.
