outside

1 of 4

noun

out·​side ˌau̇t-ˈsīd 

ˈau̇t-ˌsīd

1

a

: a place or region beyond an enclosure or boundary: such as

(1)

: the world beyond the confines of an institution (such as a prison)

(2)

often capitalized in Alaska : the world beyond the territory or state of Alaska

especially : the 48 contiguous states

b

: the area farthest from a specified point of reference: such as

(1)

: the side of home plate farthest from the batter

(2)

: the part of a playing area toward the sidelines

(3)

: the part of a playing area away from the goal

2

: an outer side or surface

3

: an outer manifestation : appearance

4

: the extreme limit of a guess : maximum

the crowd numbered 10,000 at the outside

outside

2 of 4

adjective

1

a

: of, relating to, or being on or toward the outer side or surface

the outside edge

b

: of, relating to, or being on or toward the outer side of a curve or turn

c

: of, relating to, or being on or near the outside

an outside pitch

2

a

: situated or performed outside a particular place

b

: connected with or giving access to the outside

outside telephone line

3

: maximum

4

a

: not included or originating in a particular group or organization

blamed the riot on outside agitators

b

: not belonging to one's regular occupation or duties

outside interests

5

: barely possible : remote

an outside chance

6

: made or done from the outside

borrowed a basketball and practiced his outside shot

outside

3 of 4

adverb

1

: on or to the outside

2

: outdoors

outside

4 of 4

preposition

1

—used as a function word to indicate movement to or position on the outer side of

2

: beyond the limits of

outside the scope of this report

outside the law

3

: except

Synonyms

Noun

• exterior
• face
• shell
• skin
• surface
• veneer

Adjective

• exterior
• external
• outer
• outward

Adverb

• alfresco
• out
• outdoors

Preposition

• apart from
• aside from
• bar
• barring
• beside
• besides
• but
• except
• excepting
• except for
• excluding
• exclusive of
• other than
• outside of
• save
• saving

Examples of outside in a Sentence

Noun

The house looks nice from the outside.

painted the outside of the house

Adjective

the outside edge of the foot

She turned on the outside light to see what was making the noise.

The phone will not let you make outside calls.

The company hired an outside consultant.

a businessman with few outside interests besides golf

There were outside influences that affected his decision to retire early.

Adverb

The children love playing outside.

It's nice outside, with not a cloud in the sky.

He ran outside to see what the noise was about.

He looked outside at the snow.

The candy was hard outside but chewy inside.

The car seemed in good condition outside.

Preposition

We waited outside the store.

He kept his hands outside his pockets.

There was a dog barking outside the house.

She finished the race five seconds outside the record.

We live outside the city.

I have never traveled outside the U.S. before.

No one outside the group knew of their plans.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These beliefs likely shape his views on the U.S. relationship with the 'outside' world more generally. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025

The poetics of the car drive us through death and back: to grapple with the tragedy and truth that there is no outside to the darkness that surrounds in the form of capital, nor the repetitive teleology of the death drive. —Rosie Stockton may 29, Literary Hub, 29 May 2025

Adjective

There is no procedure that requires any independent or outside investigation for an accident like this and everything was conducted in accordance with OPD Policies, regulations and FOP Contract. —Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2025

Our decision to work with outside investors has always served one purpose: to accelerate our mission of delivering bold and visionary films to global audiences. —Caroline Frost, Deadline, 15 June 2025

Adverb

In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, authorities advised people shut windows at night, avoid strenuous activity outside and watch for breathing issues. —Patrick Whittle, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025

Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025

Preposition

That’s a positive sign for sports like Major League Baseball, which has athletes from several countries outside the U.S., including those subject to the visa restrictions like Cuba and Venezuela. —Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 6 June 2025

Last week, Gomez gave a speech at California State University in Los Angeles — her first tour stop outside Washington, DC. —Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 5 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1813, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing outside

• at the outside
• beyond/outside the bounds of possibility
• exterior/outside door
• on the outside
• outside chance
• outside interest
• outside of
• outside the door
• outside the law
• outside the range/realm of possibility
• outside the realm of the possible
• outside voice
• the outside
• the outside world
• think outside the box
• work outside the home

Rhymes for outside

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids Definition

outside

1 of 4 noun

out·​side (ˈ)au̇t-ˈsīd 

ˈau̇t-ˌsīd

1

: a place or region beyond an enclosure or boundary

2

: an outer side or surface

3

: the extreme limit of a guess : most

the crowd numbered 10,000 at the outside

outside

2 of 4 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or being on the outside

the outside edge

2

: connected with or leading to the outside

an outside door

3

: coming from outside

outside influences

4

: barely possible : remote

an outside chance

outside

3 of 4 adverb

: on or to the outside

waited outside in the hall

especially : outdoors entry 1

took the dog outside

outside

4 of 4 preposition

1

: on or to the outside of

outside the house

2

: beyond the limits of

outside the law

3

: except entry 1 sense 2, besides

nobody outside a few close friends