outward

1 of 3

adjective

out·​ward ˈau̇t-wərd 

1

: moving, directed, or turned toward the outside or away from a center

an outward flow

2

a

: situated on the outside : exterior

b

: able to be seen

outward beauty

no outward evidence of injury

3

: of or relating to appearances rather than to the mind or the inner life

Their marriage was still quite normal to/by/from all outward appearances.

4

: external

outward

2 of 3

adverb

out·​ward ˈau̇t-wərd 

variants or outwards

ˈau̇t-wərdz 

1

: toward the outside

2

obsolete : on the outside : externally

outward

3 of 3

noun

: external form, appearance, or reality

Synonyms of outward

Adjective

• outer
• exterior

Noun

• face
• appearance
• effect
• impression
• seeming
• semblance

Examples of outward in a Sentence

Adjective

They showed no outward signs of fear, but they must have been afraid.

She was waiting for some outward expression of his love.

To all outward appearances, their marriage was quite normal.

outward symptoms of the disease

The outward migration of people from the city has hurt the city's economy greatly.

He made a slight outward movement with his right hand.

Adverb

The window faces outward toward the street.

Stand with your heels together, toes pointing outward.

air flowing outwards from the lungs

Noun

never was there in a man such a fine, heroic outward and such a cowardly interior

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

He's egged on by owner Jonathan Yu—the outward opposite to the roguish tattooed chef and the game-for-anything, sly devil on his shoulder who hides a mischievous heart behind elegant suits. —Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026

Foreign monarchs, presidents or prime ministers of other countries visit King Charles during inward trips, while the British royals also travel abroad at the invitation of other nations for outward visits. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026

Adverb

Massive young stars don't quietly settle in; their intense radiation and powerful stellar winds push outward, hollowing out the surrounding gas. —Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 21 Jan. 2026

For instance, expressions of regret lead observers to assign responsibility inward, expressions of anger shift blame outward and expressions of disappointment increase prosocial responses. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Noun

Further investigation of the Whippet revealed a powerful shock wave propagating outwards from the central source at around 20% the speed of light, or around 134 million miles per hour (215 million kilometers per hour), slamming into surrounding gas. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Jan. 2026

The world of November 18th has expanded in each previous book, from a personal loop to including more loopers—but now, the genre-pushing edges of the story blow outwards as Tara and the other loopers end up creating a headquarters of sorts in Bremen. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing outward

• all outward appearances
• outward-bound
• outward looking
• to/by all (outward) appearances

Kids Definition

outward

1 of 2 adjective

out·​ward ˈau̇t-wərd 

1

: moving or directed toward the outside or away from a center

an outward flow

2

: showing on the outside

outward signs of fear

outward

2 of 2 adverb

variants or outwards

-wərdz 

: toward the outside

the city stretches outward for miles

fold it outward