exterior

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​te·​ri·​or ek-ˈstir-ē-ər How to pronounce exterior (audio)
1
: being on an outside surface : situated on the outside
2
: observable by outward signs
his exterior quietness is belied by an occasional nervous twitchCurrent Biography
3
: suitable for use on outside surfaces
exteriorly adverb

exterior

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: an exterior part or surface : outside
b
: outward manner or appearance
2
: a representation (as on stage or film) of an outdoor scene
also : a scene filmed outdoors

Examples of exterior in a Sentence

Adjective the house's exterior walls badly need to be painted Noun The building has a rather plain exterior. the exterior of the tooth consists of very hard enamel
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Cedar is a warm, natural shade based on cedarwood that promises to look great on a wide range of exterior styles. Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2025 The garage door is the largest opening of many houses, and if strong winds blow the door in, pressure can build within the home, pushing up on the roof and out onto the exterior walls. Ron Lieber, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
For clever organization, snag the Lark Manor Thurleigh Ottoman, which has a soft fleece exterior, can double as seating, and hides a storage compartment. Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025 One of those earlier safety campaigns, in June of last year, pertained to trim pieces along the exterior of the trunk bed that could come loose while driving. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exterior

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin, comparative of exter, exterus being on the outside, foreign, from ex

First Known Use

Adjective

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of exterior was in 1528

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exterior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exterior. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

exterior

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​te·​ri·​or ek-ˈstir-ē-ər How to pronounce exterior (audio)
1
: situated on the outside
2
3
: suitable for use on outside surfaces
exterior paint
exteriorly adverb

exterior

2 of 2 noun
1
: an exterior part or surface : outside
2
: visible manner or appearance
a calm exterior

Medical Definition

exterior

adjective
ex·​te·​ri·​or ek-ˈstir-ē-ər How to pronounce exterior (audio)
: being on an outside surface : situated on the outside
exteriorly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on exterior

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!