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
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
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
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
Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Sovereignty, who broke to his outside, immediately took up the chase, two lengths behind Tappan Street.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2025
And what is Canada in the middle of other than an economic crisis, imposed on it by an outside actor?
—Sean Collins, Vox, 28 Apr. 2025
Skyler Caruso, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
As the agents marched outside, Cliatt followed them, asking for an explanation.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
Trump's rally just outside Detroit — his largest political event since returning to the White House — largely sidestepped two major issues that have shaken Michigan: the economic fallout from his aggressive trade tariffs and his combative stance toward neighboring Canada.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outside
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The outlet also published an image of one apparent victim outside, who appeared to be covered in blood.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Sovereignty, who broke to his outside, immediately took up the chase, two lengths behind Tappan Street.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Hunt has not yet announced a Senate run, but an outside organization, Standing for Texas, ran a $2 million statewide ad campaign touting the congressman’s work with the president.
—Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2025
And what is Canada in the middle of other than an economic crisis, imposed on it by an outside actor?
—Sean Collins, Vox, 28 Apr. 2025
Adverb
They are seen strolling outside, playing on the floor, stretching alongside one another and hugging.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
As the agents marched outside, Cliatt followed them, asking for an explanation.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Preposition
George and Amal were welcomed to Brignoles by the mayor, who shared a photo with the couple outside their new home in 2021.
—Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
Trump's rally just outside Detroit — his largest political event since returning to the White House — largely sidestepped two major issues that have shaken Michigan: the economic fallout from his aggressive trade tariffs and his combative stance toward neighboring Canada.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outside
Cite this Entry
“Outside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outside. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 adjective1
: 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
outside
4 of 4 preposition1
: 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
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