outward

1 of 3

adjective

out·​ward ˈau̇t-wərd 

1

: moving, directed, or turned toward the outside or away from a center

an outward flow

2

a

: situated on the outside : exterior

b

: able to be seen

outward beauty

no outward evidence of injury

3

: of or relating to appearances rather than to the mind or the inner life

Their marriage was still quite normal to/by/from all outward appearances.

4

: external

outward

2 of 3

adverb

out·​ward ˈau̇t-wərd 

variants or outwards

ˈau̇t-wərdz 

1

: toward the outside

2

obsolete : on the outside : externally

outward

3 of 3

noun

: external form, appearance, or reality

Synonyms of outward

Adjective

• outer
• exterior

Noun

• face
• appearance
• effect
• impression
• seeming
• semblance

Examples of outward in a Sentence

Adjective

They showed no outward signs of fear, but they must have been afraid.

She was waiting for some outward expression of his love.

To all outward appearances, their marriage was quite normal.

outward symptoms of the disease

The outward migration of people from the city has hurt the city's economy greatly.

He made a slight outward movement with his right hand.

Adverb

The window faces outward toward the street.

Stand with your heels together, toes pointing outward.

air flowing outwards from the lungs

Noun

never was there in a man such a fine, heroic outward and such a cowardly interior

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Electronics are susceptible to temperature changes, and any dust that blocks outward air vents or hampers fresh air flow into the machine can cause real damage. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026

Two tiny dots and a line are molded into the right temple's outward face to indicate the touch strip, but like the endpieces, those bumps could easily be seen as an aesthetic quirk. —Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026

Adverb

Brick buildings are among the deadliest types of structures in an earthquake, as walls collapsing outward can kill people walking on a sidewalk and even crush cars and buses with deadly force. —Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026

On their second studio album, and fifth overall, the North Carolina trio Setting tend their own field in this vast electroacoustic openness, rhythm and drone pointing further outward across five sculpted improvisations, ready for the latest of nights or the earliest of mornings. —Jesse Jarnow, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026

Noun

She was fascinated by the difference in speed between human activity and, say, a stone striking water, rippling outwards. —Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026

In IconArrows pointing outwards OpenInterest. —Michael Khouw, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing outward

• outward-bound
• outward looking
• to/by all (outward) appearances

Kids Definition

outward

1 of 2 adjective

out·​ward ˈau̇t-wərd 

1

: moving or directed toward the outside or away from a center

an outward flow

2

: showing on the outside

outward signs of fear

outward

2 of 2 adverb

variants or outwards

-wərdz 

: toward the outside

the city stretches outward for miles

fold it outward