always used before a noun
1
: of or relating to the way that someone or something looks or seems on the outside
Despite her outward [=apparent] calm, she was extremely nervous about the interview.
They showed no outward signs of fear, but they must have been afraid.
She was waiting for some outward expression of his love.
To/By/From all outward appearances, their marriage was quite normal.
2
: able to be seen
He has great outward [=physical] beauty, but is he beautiful on the inside? [=is he a good person?]
There was no outward [=visible] evidence that the parents abused the child.
outward symptoms of the disease
3
: moving or directed away from something
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.
variants
or chiefly British outwards
1
: toward the outside of something : away from a center
The window faces outward toward the street.
Stand with your heels together, toes pointing outward.
air flowing outwards from the lungs
2
: away from yourself
She turns her students' attention outward [=away from their own lives] by making them aware of different cultures.
The country has become more outward looking [=thinking about other people or places] in its economic policies.
Cite this Entry
“Outward.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/outward. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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