outdoors

1 of 3

adverb

out·​doors ˌau̇t-ˈdȯrz 

ˈau̇t-ˈdȯrz

: outside a building : in or into the open air

I went outdoors for some fresh air.

a game that is meant to be played outdoors

outdoors

2 of 3

noun

plural in form but singular in construction

1

: a place or location away from the confines of a building

Trees surround the home, blurring the lines between outdoors and indoors.

—Dawn Hammon

—usually used with the

let in fresh air from the outdoors

2

: the natural world : the places outside of areas developed by humans

… those delighting in the wonders of outdoors.

—Marina Brown

—usually used with the

a lover of the outdoors

… skiers in Maine can glory in the pleasures of the great outdoors—the ski areas are surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in the state.

—Down East

outdoors

3 of 3

adjective

: outdoor

… stands displaying equipment and clothing covering a wide spectrum of outdoors pursuits.

—Clive Tully

Synonyms

Adverb

• alfresco
• out
• outside

Noun

• nature
• open
• open air
• out-of-doors
• wild
• wilderness

Examples of outdoors in a Sentence

Adverb

The game is meant to be played outdoors.

He worked outdoors all afternoon.

I went outdoors for some fresh air.

Noun

our family loves to hike and camp in the great outdoors

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Even outdoors, you can be exposed to high levels of secondhand smoke if someone is smoking nearby. —David Stempel, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024

The musical Sunset Boulevard takes a brief detour outdoors during productions. —Melvin Backman, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024

Noun

The living area has a retractable glass wall that slides open, bringing the outdoors in. —Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024

Indulge in a Bit of Camp A love of the outdoors guided this boy’s room, where Fornasetti’s Nuvolette wallpaper covers the ceiling and a tentlike wool plaid canopy hangs above the bed. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Frank Wright had been the outdoors type, perfect for living in Madeira Beach, a small barrier island community. —David Fischer and Terry Spencer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024

Lucas was known to dress in superhero costumes and loved the outdoors, especially cows. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

circa 1729, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1790, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

outdoors

1 of 2 adverb

out·​doors (ˈ)au̇t-ˈdō(ə)rz 

-ˈdȯ(ə)rz

: outside a building : in or into the open air

outdoors

2 of 2 noun

1

: a place away from or outside a building

2

: the world away from human dwellings