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

Despite outward shows of unity, Cuba’s Communist Party is riven with factions that are frequently reported to be at odds. —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025

For me, the greatest human invention for abiding with and describing this doubleness—the outward situation and the inward situation, and the two in constant dialogue and crisis—is the novel. —Jane Ciabattari september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025

Adverb

The latest poster shows a well, fire raging, with a figure leaping outward. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025

Instead of six symmetrical arms, like a snowflake, only four reached outward — leaving two conspicuously missing and creating a lopsided star. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2025

Noun

Panniers — undergarments that sit on the hips to expand the silhouette outwards — have also been seen on recent red carpets. —Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025

This encourages roots to migrate outwards rather than circling and eventually weakening the tree by girdling it. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 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