external
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to the outside or outer part; outer.
an external surface.
- Antonyms:
- internal
-
Medicine/Medical. to be applied to the outside of a body, as a remedy.
for external use only.
-
situated or being outside something; acting or coming from without.
external influences.
- Antonyms:
- internal
-
pertaining to the outward or visible appearance or show.
external acts of worship.
-
pertaining to or concerned with foreign countries.
external affairs;
external commerce.
-
Zoology, Anatomy. on the side farthest from the body, the median line, or the center of a radially symmetrical form.
-
Metaphysics. of or relating to the world of things, considered as independent of the perceiving mind.
external world.
noun
-
the outside; outer surface; exterior.
-
something that is external.
-
externals, external features, circumstances, etc.; outward appearance; superficialities.
adjective
-
of, situated on, or suitable for the outside; outer
-
coming or acting from without
external evidence from an independent source
-
of or involving foreign nations; foreign
-
of, relating to, or designating a medicine that is applied to the outside of the body
-
anatomy situated on or near the outside of the body
the external ear
-
education denoting assessment by examiners who are not employed at the candidate's place of study
-
(of a student) studying a university subject extramurally
-
philosophy (of objects, etc) taken to exist independently of a perceiving mind
noun
-
(often plural) an external circumstance or aspect, esp one that is superficial or inessential
-
a student taking an extramural subject
Other Word Forms
- externally adverb
- nonexternal adjective
- nonexternally adverb
- quasi-external adjective
- quasi-externally adverb
- semiexternal adjective
- semiexternally adverb
- subexternal adjective
- subexternally adverb
Etymology
Origin of external
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; equivalent to extern + -al 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
However, the bank signaled a possible cut in March, depending on the "uncertain external context," referring to global trade tensions and US economic policy.
From Barron's
Daggers announced on Tuesday that long-serving managing director Stephen Thompson would stand down, external from his role and position on the board at the end of March.
From BBC
Speaking to Sky News,, external the PFA's Maheta Molango said England players had asked for guidance on how to handle calls to speak out when they come from rights campaigners and media organisations.
From BBC
"Only by reducing structural dependence on oil and LNG imports can Europe durably shield its economy from recurrent external shocks."
From Barron's
The families will call for an early-warning system that would allow parents and whistleblowers to report concerns in early-years settings to an independent external body.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
