outside

1 of 4

noun

out·​side ˌau̇t-ˈsīd 

ˈau̇t-ˌsīd

1

a

: a place or region beyond an enclosure or boundary: such as

(1)

: the world beyond the confines of an institution (such as a prison)

He looked forward to life on the outside again.

(2)

often Outside in Alaska : the world beyond the territory or state of Alaska

especially : the 48 contiguous states

b

: the area farthest from a specified point of reference: such as

(1)

: the side of home plate farthest from the batter

(2)

: the part of a playing area toward the sidelines

(3)

: the part of a playing area away from the goal

2

: an outer side or surface

The outside of the house needs painting.

The candy was hard on the outside but chewy on the inside.

3

: an outer manifestation : appearance

I may look calm on the outside, but I'm actually nervous.

4

: the extreme limit of a guess : maximum

the crowd numbered 10,000 at the outside

outside

2 of 4

adjective

1

a

: of, relating to, or being on or toward the outer side or surface

the outside edge

b

: of, relating to, or being on or toward the outer side of a curve or turn

c

: of, relating to, or being on or near the outside

an outside pitch

2

a

: situated or performed outside a particular place

turned on the outside light

b

: connected with or giving access to the outside

outside telephone line

3

: maximum

4

a

: not included or originating in a particular group or organization

not taking any outside calls

blamed the riot on outside agitators

b

: not belonging to one's regular occupation or duties

outside interests

5

: barely possible : remote

an outside chance

6

: made or done from the outside

borrowed a basketball and practiced his outside shot

outside

3 of 4

adverb

1

: on or to the outside

The car seemed in good condition outside.

2

: outdoors

children playing outside

outside

4 of 4

preposition

1

—used as a function word to indicate movement to or position on the outer side of

waited outside the store

2

: beyond the limits of

outside the scope of this report

outside the law

3

: except

No one knew outside a few friends.

Synonyms of outside

Noun

• exterior
• surface
• front

Adjective

• outer
• exterior

Adverb

• out
• outdoors

Preposition

• except
• beside
• besides
• but

Examples of outside in a Sentence

Noun

The house looks nice from the outside.

painted the outside of the house

Adjective

the outside edge of the foot

She turned on the outside light to see what was making the noise.

The phone will not let you make outside calls.

The company hired an outside consultant.

a businessman with few outside interests besides golf

There were outside influences that affected his decision to retire early.

Adverb

The children love playing outside.

It's nice outside, with not a cloud in the sky.

He ran outside to see what the noise was about.

He looked outside at the snow.

The candy was hard outside but chewy inside.

The car seemed in good condition outside.

Preposition

We waited outside the store.

He kept his hands outside his pockets.

There was a dog barking outside the house.

She finished the race five seconds outside the record.

We live outside the city.

I have never traveled outside the U.S. before.

No one outside the group knew of their plans.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Listen to these powerful profiles and useful training articles, curated by the editors of Run and Outside. —Ali Nolan, Outside, 25 Feb. 2026

The design of Completedworks’ fall range also mirrored that inside-outside contrast. —Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 22 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Forfeits by high school boys’ soccer teams in the City Section and Southern Section playoffs continued Friday as both sections try to deal with violations of CIF Bylaw 600, which prohibits players from participating in outside leagues during their sports season. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026

Ads backing candidates and targeting opposing candidates have come from campaigns directly, as well as outside groups not affiliated with the candidates. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2026

Adverb

Running outside, Friedmann, who had not emptied his gun of rounds, fired at the customers, missing both. —James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026

Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you’re not caught outside. —Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026

Preposition

The Greater Los Angeles area is home to the largest concentration of people of Iranian descent outside Iran. —Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026

The rematch reflects growing frustration with Foushee among younger, left-leaning voters who view her as insufficiently confrontational, particularly on Israel and outside political spending, in one of the safest Democratic districts in the country. —Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing outside

• at the outside
• beyond/outside the bounds of possibility
• exterior/outside door
• on the outside
• outside chance
• outside interest
• outside of
• outside the door
• outside the law
• outside the range/realm of possibility
• outside the realm of the possible
• outside voice
• the outside
• the outside world
• think outside the box
• work outside the home

Rhymes for outside

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids Definition

outside

1 of 4 noun

out·​side (ˈ)au̇t-ˈsīd 

ˈau̇t-ˌsīd

1

: a place or region beyond an enclosure or boundary

2

: an outer side or surface

3

: the extreme limit of a guess : most

the crowd numbered 10,000 at the outside

outside

2 of 4 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or being on the outside

the outside edge

2

: connected with or leading to the outside

an outside door

3

: coming from outside

outside influences

4

: barely possible : remote

an outside chance

outside

3 of 4 adverb

: on or to the outside

waited outside in the hall

especially : outdoors entry 1

took the dog outside

outside

4 of 4 preposition

1

: on or to the outside of

outside the house

2

: beyond the limits of

outside the law

3

: except entry 1 sense 2, besides

nobody outside a few close friends