ex·te·ri·or
ek-ˈstir-ē-ər 
1
: being on an outside surface : situated on the outside
2
: observable by outward signs
his exterior quietness is belied by an occasional nervous twitch—
Current Biography
Current Biography3
: suitable for use on outside surfaces
exteriorly
adverb
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
Synonyms
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 WebKelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2024
Another standout feature is the exterior crush-resistant SafeZone compartment that's perfect for storing sunglasses or a phone.
—Gabrielle Porcaro, Glamour, 29 Apr. 2024
Examples include photographs of interior or exterior deferred maintenance and estimates for repairs.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 25 Apr. 2024
Those include improvements for middle and high school auditoriums, interior and exterior athletics and special education.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2024
Underwater walls of glass in the swimming pool further enhance the interplay between interior and exterior spaces, while the extensive use of hardwoods and other natural materials, including verdant living walls of foliage, connects the home to its natural surroundings.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2024
Artist and Hamilton native Robert McCloskey created most of the interior and exterior relief sculptures.
—Sue Kiesewetter, The Enquirer, 18 Apr. 2024
Our cars also house various aspects of our interior and exterior lives.
—Vivian Manning-Schaffel, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024
The bag has interior and exterior slip pockets and is large enough to hold the latest iPhone.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
Caroline Haskins, WIRED, 17 Apr. 2024
Chocolate brown hit the runways and effortlessly made its way into home interiors this year—and according to Behr Paint Company, the warm shade deserves some recognition on the exterior, too.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2024
The new model’s boxy exterior and available two-tone paint consciously recall the 1958 Land Cruiser that was one of Toyota’s first successes in the American market, while its price and features establish it as one of the brand’s modern flagships.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 16 Apr. 2024
On the exterior, the house is characterized by the use of tar and gravel roofing.
—Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
When the ants were brought to the surface, their pale exteriors and smooth, slender bodies reminded the researchers of He Who Must Not Be Named.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
Then, slice off the white pith from the exterior, leaving just the flesh of the oranges.
—Gisela Williams, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Though every airline has a unique livery (that is, the branding on the aircraft's exterior comprising a distinct collection of colors and graphics), most fuselages are painted white, and for good reason.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2024
Alternatively, visitors can walk by to see the exterior and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Soho House from a neighboring rooftop bar.
—Kayla Keegan, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Alternatively, invest in a backpack with little to no accessible exterior pockets and zippers.
—Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2024
Another standout feature is the exterior crush-resistant SafeZone compartment that's perfect for storing sunglasses or a phone.
—Gabrielle Porcaro, Glamour, 29 Apr. 2024
Examples include photographs of interior or exterior deferred maintenance and estimates for repairs.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 25 Apr. 2024
Those include improvements for middle and high school auditoriums, interior and exterior athletics and special education.
—Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2024
Underwater walls of glass in the swimming pool further enhance the interplay between interior and exterior spaces, while the extensive use of hardwoods and other natural materials, including verdant living walls of foliage, connects the home to its natural surroundings.
—Mark David, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 2024
Artist and Hamilton native Robert McCloskey created most of the interior and exterior relief sculptures.
—Sue Kiesewetter, The Enquirer, 18 Apr. 2024
Our cars also house various aspects of our interior and exterior lives.
—Vivian Manning-Schaffel, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024
The bag has interior and exterior slip pockets and is large enough to hold the latest iPhone.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
Noun
Google logo on building exterior, Chelsea, New York City, New York.
—Caroline Haskins, WIRED, 17 Apr. 2024
Chocolate brown hit the runways and effortlessly made its way into home interiors this year—and according to Behr Paint Company, the warm shade deserves some recognition on the exterior, too.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2024
The new model’s boxy exterior and available two-tone paint consciously recall the 1958 Land Cruiser that was one of Toyota’s first successes in the American market, while its price and features establish it as one of the brand’s modern flagships.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 16 Apr. 2024
On the exterior, the house is characterized by the use of tar and gravel roofing.
—Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
When the ants were brought to the surface, their pale exteriors and smooth, slender bodies reminded the researchers of He Who Must Not Be Named.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2024
Then, slice off the white pith from the exterior, leaving just the flesh of the oranges.
—Gisela Williams, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
Though every airline has a unique livery (that is, the branding on the aircraft's exterior comprising a distinct collection of colors and graphics), most fuselages are painted white, and for good reason.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2024
Alternatively, visitors can walk by to see the exterior and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Soho House from a neighboring rooftop bar.
—Kayla Keegan, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'exterior.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near exterior
Cite this Entry
“Exterior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exterior. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
exterior
1 of 2 adjective
ex·te·ri·or
ek-ˈstir-ē-ər
1
: situated on the outside
3
: suitable for use on outside surfaces
exterior paint
exteriorly
adverb
exterior
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
: being on an outside surface : situated on the outside
exteriorly
adverb
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