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

Concerning ingredients Studies reveal that the air inside our homes is more polluted than the air outdoors, and a portion of these toxins come from household cleaners. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025

Having grown up in the 1890s in Ohio near Lake Erie, Gibson spent her childhood outdoors, swimming and climbing trees. —Hannah Fish, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Feb. 2025

Noun

The 2023 outdoors season saw the beginning of the bust, and cycling wasn’t spared the slump. —Jim Vinoski, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

In 2025, green industry experts see a trend toward making our piece of the great outdoors friendlier to birds and easier on the planet. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2025

Adjective

Perhaps that's why more and more gardeners want their outdoors spaces to be purposefully imperfect. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2025

Inside, the 245-room hotel, which is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, takes inspiration from the serenity of the outdoors with wooden floors, stone walls, multiple fireplaces, and large windows to let in natural light. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2025

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