outside

1 of 4

noun

out·​side ˌau̇t-ˈsīd How to pronounce outside (audio)
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
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

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Sometimes international relations fell under the sway of a powerful hegemon—or of outright imperialism, where a single state, such as Rome, or an outside invader, such as the Ottoman empire, dominated its neighbors and provided them with security. Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025 And Sovereignty drew the far outside post, a less-than-desirable starting position for the 1 1/8-miles stakes in which the first turn looms close to the gate. Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Although outside observers may have been discouraged and worried after the early goals, Florida coach Paul Maurice said the team was not. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 10 May 2025 Tilda Swinton and Michael Shannon play the mom and dad of a wealthy family holed up in a posh bunker in a salt mine, George MacKay plays their son who yearns to know about the inhospitable outside world, and Moses Ingram is the stranger who changes everything. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Adverb
Here are tips on how to stay safe during a thunderstorm: To reduce the chance of being struck by lightning, when venturing outside, have a plan to get to a safer area. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2025 Be mindful outdoors: Take extra precautions when working or spending time outside. Find the right time: Consider rescheduling strenuous activities to early morning or evening if possible. Familiarize yourself with warning signs: Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 May 2025
Preposition
Hundreds of people have lined up outside the courthouse, the AP reported, some of whom camped out overnight. Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 Sharing tax information with agencies outside the IRS For example, Congress passed a law to strictly limit who can access information that taxpayers voluntarily provide to the IRS. Scott Horsley, NPR, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for outside

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of outside was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outside. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

outside

1 of 4 noun
out·​side (ˈ)au̇t-ˈsīd How to pronounce outside (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on outside

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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