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

However, Lenovo’s continual experimentation has brought us some unique laptop releases and concepts in recent years, including a laptop with a screen that expands by rolling, a laptop with an outward folding screen, laptops with foldable screens, and laptops with dual 14-inch displays. —Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025

The screams, the tears, the pain were the outward expressions as her physical body began to separate from her spirit and soul. —Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Adverb

Warm gas has internal pressure that pushes outward against the inward force of gravity trying to collapse the cloud. —Luke Keller, Space.com, 7 Sep. 2025

When engagement is high, that energy spills outward, fueling better customer service, stronger brand loyalty and even helping companies avoid PR nightmares. —Alyshia Hull, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025

Noun

Dieback describes this feedback loop of localized forest death spreading outwards, and past the 60-80% mark the entire Amazon is at risk of collapse. —Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

For me, this film was more about the duel between the stillness in the in the internal rage and that wanting to percolate outwards. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 29 Aug. 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