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

a

: situated on the outside : exterior

b

: able to be seen

outward beauty

no outward evidence of injury

3

: of or relating to appearances rather than to the mind or the inner life

Their marriage was still quite normal to/by/from all outward appearances.

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 of outward

Adjective

• outer
• exterior

Noun

• face
• appearance
• effect
• impression
• seeming
• semblance

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

The outward forms of life had changed, but Life itself had not. — Liesl Ehmke, Christian Science Monitor, 15 July 2026

But in an outward show of IP confidence with almost no Hollywood precedent, Universal’s corporate overseers decided to allocate theme-park real estate for How to Train Your Dragon in Epic Universe. — Chris Lee, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Adverb

Governing authority is gradually drifting downward — and outward — to states, cities and metropolitan regions that can still act with speed, competence and public trust. — John Eger, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

The roots grow larger outward and downward to provide structural support to the plant and to collect more water and nutrients. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 July 2026

Noun

Among the catch are stingrays, their bodies folded over, pushed inwards (or outwards, for some) from the burgeoning force of other fish in the net. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

In IconArrows pointing outwards The bottom line is that energy policy decisions have consequences. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 9 July 2026

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