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

• outer
• exterior

Noun

• face
• appearance
• effect
• impression
• seeming
• semblance
• first blush

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

Art, Blackness, and the Universe is an outward gaze—one that stretches across galaxies. —Okla Jones, Essence, 1 Oct. 2025

With Venus retrograde in Aries starting on March 1 and affecting your career and outward expression, old insecurities about your worth and ambitions may surface. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025

Adverb

The skirt of the dress was completely covered in three-dimensional, red poppy flowers that bloomed outward to mimic real petals. —Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025

What began as one man’s effort to survive has rippled outward like a stone dropped in water. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025

Noun

Back on the swim platform, the side bulwarks fold outwards to create a larger exterior space. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025

For decades, many researchers agreed on calculations indicating that the universe may simply continue to infinitely expand outwards in all directions. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 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