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

Outward travel will intially be limited to patients, the injured, students with university admission and visas, and holders of Egyptian citizenship or other nationalities and residency permits, the source said.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

Outward migration sent residents looking for work in neighboring Illinois, Ohio and Virginia.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2023

Guest: Christina Cauterucci, Slate senior writer and host of Outward.

From Slate • Feb. 16, 2023

Outward from there, the floating ice creates a dark cavity that warm seawater and some fish can enter — but that humans cannot.

From Washington Post • Feb. 15, 2023

“I swear. This guy I know told me. He was an Outward Bound guide.”

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• apparent
• noticeable