exterior

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​te·​ri·​or ek-ˈstir-ē-ər How to pronounce exterior (audio)
1
: being on an outside surface : situated on the outside
2
: observable by outward signs
his exterior quietness is belied by an occasional nervous twitchCurrent Biography
3
: suitable for use on outside surfaces
exteriorly adverb

exterior

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: an exterior part or surface : outside
b
: outward manner or appearance
2
: a representation (as on stage or film) of an outdoor scene
also : a scene filmed outdoors

Examples of exterior in a Sentence

Adjective the house's exterior walls badly need to be painted Noun The building has a rather plain exterior. the exterior of the tooth consists of very hard enamel
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The bag also has a padded laptop sleeve, plus exterior and interior pockets to help keep your essentials organized. Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 25 Sep. 2025 The exterior changes were minor, though, and mainly limited to the front fascia, which now featured thinner headlamps. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
The base vehicle’s already head-turning exterior has been customized to further stand out from the pack. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025 Move on to wiping down the exterior of your refrigerator and freezer (following the same rules as the oven exterior), and vacuum the coils. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exterior

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin, comparative of exter, exterus being on the outside, foreign, from ex

First Known Use

Adjective

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of exterior was in 1528

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exterior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exterior. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

exterior

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​te·​ri·​or ek-ˈstir-ē-ər How to pronounce exterior (audio)
1
: situated on the outside
2
3
: suitable for use on outside surfaces
exterior paint
exteriorly adverb

exterior

2 of 2 noun
1
: an exterior part or surface : outside
2
: visible manner or appearance
a calm exterior

Medical Definition

exterior

adjective
ex·​te·​ri·​or ek-ˈstir-ē-ər How to pronounce exterior (audio)
: being on an outside surface : situated on the outside
exteriorly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on exterior

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