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

The bot’s responses to the Venezuela queries indeed carried an outward appearance of political balance. —Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026

The latest World Migration Report identifies the US as the largest remittance-sending country, with outward remittance flows of around $79 billion. —Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026

Adverb

Nations without trust in domestic institutions often turn outward in search of scapegoats. —Klaus Schwab, Time, 5 Jan. 2026

Previous research suggests that chaotic interactions between worlds early in the development of planetary systems around stars can sling planets outward. —Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 2 Jan. 2026

Noun

The world of November 18th has expanded in each previous book, from a personal loop to including more loopers—but now, the genre-pushing edges of the story blow outwards as Tara and the other loopers end up creating a headquarters of sorts in Bremen. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026

In IconArrows pointing outwards A bouquet McCarthy designed for an engagement party. —Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 31 Dec. 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

• all outward appearances
• 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