outer

adjective

out·​er ˈau̇-tər 

1

: existing independent of mind : objective

outer reality

2

a

: situated farther out

the outer limits

b

: being away from a center

the planet's outer rings

c

: situated or belonging on the outside

an outer covering

Synonyms of outer

• exterior
• outward

Examples of outer in a Sentence

the outer edges of the roof

The package's outer covering was damaged.

I removed the outer skin of the onion.

Her inner turmoil was masked by an outer calm.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the barrier is the outer, dead-cell layer of skin made up of corneocytes, lipids, proteins and fats that keep water in and irritants out. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Researchers have created living mice whose outer brains are almost entirely human. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026

In fact, Mimas stayed merely a bright dot near Saturn until 1980, when NASA's Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft flew by the ringed planet on their Grand Tour of the outer solar system. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Thus, there are 2(B(n, 2) – n) edges of the second type, which connect outer boundary points with interior intersection points. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from out entry 4 + -er entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing outer

• come-outer
• down-and-outer
• out-and-outer
• outer ear
• outer planet
• outer space

Rhymes for outer

• doubter
• lauter
• stouter

Kids Definition

outer

adjective

out·​er ˈau̇t-ər 

1

: located on the outside or farther out

the outer wall

2

: being away from a center

the outer planets of the solar system