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

The trend also comes at a time when weight-loss medications are on the rise, more ultra-thin physiques appear to dominate red carpets and some social media users have built platforms off the outward pursuit of thinness. —Charles Trepany, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026

The outward facing part of it — speaking publicly, being interviewed — has been a growth experience, to say the least. —Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026

Adverb

The songs spread outward from Morris’ small voice like paper towel blots. —Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 1 Apr. 2026

Meanwhile, intake systems can trap and kill fish larvae, plankton and other organisms at the base of the marine food web — losses that can ripple outward, reducing populations of fish and larger predators that depend on them. —ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026

Noun

In IconArrows pointing outwards CNBC Europe Multiple media reports have emerged in recent weeks that Iran has been charging ships vast sums to bypass traffic in the waterway. —Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026

As fuel supplies, shipping routes and markets are disrupted, the effects ripple outwards, increasing hunger risks well beyond the region. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 20 Mar. 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

• 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