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

Nearly $900,000 in wire deposits and about $583,000 in outward wire transfers were made through the flaggedaccounts, the investigative memorandum said. —Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

After this, the comet will begin its outward journey. —Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025

Adverb

The investigation grew from the allegations by one parent, whose infant son showed outward and lingering signs of distress that another teacher tied to his treatment by Miller. —Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 8 Nov. 2025

The outward-facing push is also ceremonial. —Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025

Noun

But the big draw is the oversized balconies that face outwards, overlooking the back of the ship. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 2025

In IconArrows pointing outwards A similar contract on platform Polymarket dropped to about 30% from more than 40% earlier in the week, reflecting traders' growing belief that the justices may strike down the policy. —Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025

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