outwardly

adverb

out·​ward·​ly ˈau̇t-wərd-lē 

1

a

: on the outside : externally

b

: toward the outside

2

: in outward state, behavior, or appearance

was outwardly friendly

Examples of outwardly in a Sentence

The two brothers may be outwardly similar, but their personalities couldn't be more different.

Though extremely nervous, she was able to remain outwardly calm during the interview.

Outwardly, their marriage seemed quite normal.

Recent Examples on the Web

While out in society, Elizabeth interacts with single men such as Mr. Darcy, an outwardly curmudgeon who is misunderstood. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2025

Schuyler was impassive and outwardly calm, but in his very calm projected a certain vulnerability. —Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025

No other regular Chelsea starter could be relied upon so consistently to field questions from the media after a match, win, lose or draw, and few others were as loud or outwardly forceful on the pitch. —Liam Twomey, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025

Polls show that roughly 40 percent of voters do not outwardly identify with any party. —Lev Nachman, Foreign Affairs, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

outwardly

adverb

out·​ward·​ly ˈau̇t-wərd-lē 

: on the outside : in outward appearance

outwardly calm