outdoors

1 of 3

adverb

out·​doors ˌau̇t-ˈdȯrz 

ˈau̇t-ˈdȯrz

: outside a building : in or into the open air

I went outdoors for some fresh air.

a game that is meant to be played outdoors

outdoors

2 of 3

noun

plural in form but singular in construction

1

: a place or location away from the confines of a building

Trees surround the home, blurring the lines between outdoors and indoors.

—Dawn Hammon

—usually used with the

let in fresh air from the outdoors

2

: the natural world : the places outside of areas developed by humans

… those delighting in the wonders of outdoors.

—Marina Brown

—usually used with the

a lover of the outdoors

… skiers in Maine can glory in the pleasures of the great outdoors—the ski areas are surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in the state.

—Down East

outdoors

3 of 3

adjective

: outdoor

… stands displaying equipment and clothing covering a wide spectrum of outdoors pursuits.

—Clive Tully

Synonyms

Adverb

• outside
• out

Noun

• wilderness

Examples of outdoors in a Sentence

Adverb

The game is meant to be played outdoors.

He worked outdoors all afternoon.

I went outdoors for some fresh air.

Noun

our family loves to hike and camp in the great outdoors

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

But celebrating Stanley Cup victories outdoors seem to take place under skies dumping water on fans. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 21 June 2025

Extreme heat is most dangerous for certain vulnerable populations, including young kids, older adults, people who have underlying medical conditions, people who don’t have access to good air conditioning, or those whose work keeps them outdoors. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 June 2025

Noun

Many of us at Outside got started in the outdoors with guidance from our parents. —Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 14 June 2025

The barriers can be even higher for Black people and other people of color, given the lack of access to the outdoors for certain communities. —Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025

Adjective

Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 June 2025

With consumers also preparing for outdoors or overseas adventures, purchases also included water-filtration devices, compact first-aid kits, and Bluetooth speakers. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

circa 1729, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1790, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for outdoors

• abhors
• adores
• bookstores
• centaurs
• concours
• deplores
• downpours
• drugstores
• encores
• explores
• ignores
• implores

Kids Definition

outdoors

1 of 2 adverb

out·​doors (ˈ)au̇t-ˈdō(ə)rz 

-ˈdȯ(ə)rz

: outside a building : in or into the open air

outdoors

2 of 2 noun

1

: a place away from or outside a building

2

: the world away from human dwellings