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

So far, there's been little outward sign of progress. —Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 14 Mar. 2026

Mental illnesses, however, have historically been diagnosed and treated based on outward symptoms. —Jamie Ducharme, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026

Adverb

Related Stories Across HAF’s In-Development Projects, Works-in-Progress and the new Film Frontier sections, Japan accounts for seven projects in total — a figure that underscores how decisively Unijapan is pursuing an outward-facing strategy at the Forum. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026

Using gentle, circular motions, clean the center of the lens and work outward. —Jacob Little, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026

Noun

In IconArrows pointing outwards Getty Images Ten vessels in or near the Strait of Hormuz came under Tehran's attack less than two weeks into the war, killing at least seven seafarers onboard, according to the International Maritime Organization. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026

Each data center is represented as a point, and groups of points have been expanded outwards to avoid overlaps and show where there's large numbers of data centers. —Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 8 Apr. 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

• 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