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

: situated on the outside : exterior

3

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

outward beauty

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

Adjective

• exterior
• external
• outer
• outside

Noun

• appearance
• face
• guise
• name
• seeming
• semblance
• show

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

The project will include a new grand entrance along with an attractive streetscape showcasing outward facing shops, restaurants, entertainment and service uses with openings beginning in 2026. —Footwear News, 19 May 2025

Crafted with 70 percent linen and 30 percent cotton spun from French flax, the curtains’ outward facing panel appears light and airy, while the opposite side has a blackout liner. —Maggie Horton, People.com, 18 May 2025

Adverb

Jones’s poems do not focus outward toward social strife, but inward. —James Dubinsky, JSTOR Daily, 22 May 2025

As water pooled, the edges crept outward, soaking into the pockmarked snow, which was up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) thick and crusty like hardened white frosting. —Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 May 2025

Noun

Each data center is represented as a point, and groups of points have been expanded outwards to avoid overlaps and show where there's large numbers of data centers. —Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025

Aurora, on the other hand, was built for looking outwards. —David Nikel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

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