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)

He looked forward to life on the outside again.

(2)

often Outside 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

The outside of the house needs painting.

The candy was hard on the outside but chewy on the inside.

3

: an outer manifestation : appearance

I may look calm on the outside, but I'm actually nervous.

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

turned on the outside light

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

not taking any outside calls

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

The car seemed in good condition outside.

2

: outdoors

children playing outside

outside

4 of 4

preposition

1

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

waited outside the store

2

: beyond the limits of

outside the scope of this report

outside the law

3

: except

No one knew outside a few friends.

Synonyms of outside

Noun

• exterior
• surface
• front

Adjective

• outer
• exterior

Adverb

• out
• outdoors

Preposition

• except
• beside
• besides
• but

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

The woman wasn’t allowed to use the bathroom inside and had to go outdoors, and she was made to shower in a tent outside, authorities said. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025

Dinnertime may mean braving the cold outside. —AFAR Media, 29 Oct. 2025

Adjective

The conversion to a charter school -- which are public schools run by their districts, as opposed to outside entities -- will allow Hall students to work at their own pace, McGee said Thursday, while focusing on competency and skills. —Dmitry Martirosov, Arkansas Online, 14 Nov. 2025

There's a lot of pressure and outside noise that comes in with social media. —Becky Sullivan, NPR, 14 Nov. 2025

Adverb

Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Nov. 2025

First responders can be seen on body camera footage running into the flames and helping seniors with limited mobility down the stairs and outside. —Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Preposition

Bachmeier had clean pockets most of the night outside a few pass rushes by Devean Deal, but Hoover was forced to run for his life most of the night as BYU clearly won the battle at the line of scrimmage. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Nov. 2025

He was arrested by ICE agents April 18 following a short chase outside the Milwaukee County Courthouse. —Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 15 Nov. 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

1653, 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