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Synonyms

outward

American  
[out-werd] / ˈaʊt wərd /

adjective

  1. proceeding or directed toward the outside or exterior, or away from a central point.

    the outward flow of gold; the outward part of a voyage.

  2. pertaining to or being what is seen or apparent, as distinguished from the underlying nature, facts, etc.; pertaining to surface qualities only; superficial.

    outward appearances.

  3. belonging or pertaining to external actions or appearances, as opposed to inner feelings, mental states, etc..

    an outward show of grief.

  4. that lies toward the outside; that is on the outer side; exterior.

    an outward court.

  5. of or relating to the outside, outer surface, or exterior.

    to make repairs on the outward walls of a house.

  6. pertaining to the outside of the body; external.

  7. pertaining to the body, as opposed to the mind or spirit.

  8. belonging or pertaining to what is external to oneself.

    outward influences.


noun

  1. that which is external; the external or material world.

  2. outward appearance.

adverb

  1. toward the outside; out.

  2. visibly expressing one's inner feelings, mental state, etc.

  3. away from port.

    a ship bound outward.

  4. Obsolete. on the outside; externally.

outward British  
/ ˈaʊtwəd /

adjective

  1. of or relating to what is apparent or superficial

  2. of or relating to the outside of the body

  3. belonging or relating to the external, as opposed to the mental, spiritual, or inherent

  4. of, relating to, or directed towards the outside or exterior

  5. (of a ship, part of a voyage, etc) leaving for a particular destination

    1. the body as opposed to the soul

    2. facetious clothing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. (of a ship) away from port

  2. a variant of outwards

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the outward part; exterior

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • outwardness noun

Etymology

Origin of outward

before 900; Middle English; Old English ūtweard. See out, -ward

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.

Although such alignments are unlikely at any given moment, Titan's outward migration sometimes creates these resonances.

From Science Daily

Having spent years listening to Cubans repeat anodyne revolutionary slogans when asked for their opinions on camera, it's disarming to hear such frank views expressed with no outward fear of the repercussions.

From BBC

When we truly know Christ, faith naturally moves outward.

From The Wall Street Journal

So are the dilemmas created by split-second decisions and the resultant issues rippling outward.

From Salon

A ban transfers responsibility outward, to governments and corporations.

From The Wall Street Journal