outside

1 of 4

noun

out·​side ˌau̇t-ˈsīd 

ˈau̇t-ˌsīd

1

a

: a place or region beyond an enclosure or boundary: such as

(1)

: the world beyond the confines of an institution (such as a prison)

(2)

often capitalized in Alaska : the world beyond the territory or state of Alaska

especially : the 48 contiguous states

b

: the area farthest from a specified point of reference: such as

(1)

: the side of home plate farthest from the batter

(2)

: the part of a playing area toward the sidelines

(3)

: the part of a playing area away from the goal

2

: an outer side or surface

3

: an outer manifestation : appearance

4

: the extreme limit of a guess : maximum

the crowd numbered 10,000 at the outside

outside

2 of 4

adjective

1

a

: of, relating to, or being on or toward the outer side or surface

the outside edge

b

: of, relating to, or being on or toward the outer side of a curve or turn

c

: of, relating to, or being on or near the outside

an outside pitch

2

a

: situated or performed outside a particular place

b

: connected with or giving access to the outside

outside telephone line

3

: maximum

4

a

: not included or originating in a particular group or organization

blamed the riot on outside agitators

b

: not belonging to one's regular occupation or duties

outside interests

5

: barely possible : remote

an outside chance

6

: made or done from the outside

borrowed a basketball and practiced his outside shot

outside

3 of 4

adverb

1

: on or to the outside

2

: outdoors

outside

4 of 4

preposition

1

—used as a function word to indicate movement to or position on the outer side of

2

: beyond the limits of

outside the scope of this report

outside the law

3

: except

Synonyms

Noun

• exterior
• face
• shell
• skin
• surface
• veneer

Adjective

• exterior
• external
• outer
• outward

Adverb

• alfresco
• out
• outdoors

Preposition

• apart from
• aside from
• bar
• barring
• beside
• besides
• but
• except
• excepting
• except for
• excluding
• exclusive of
• other than
• outside of
• save
• saving

Examples of outside in a Sentence

Noun

The house looks nice from the outside.

painted the outside of the house

Adjective

the outside edge of the foot

She turned on the outside light to see what was making the noise.

The phone will not let you make outside calls.

The company hired an outside consultant.

a businessman with few outside interests besides golf

There were outside influences that affected his decision to retire early.

Adverb

The children love playing outside.

It's nice outside, with not a cloud in the sky.

He ran outside to see what the noise was about.

He looked outside at the snow.

The candy was hard outside but chewy inside.

The car seemed in good condition outside.

Preposition

We waited outside the store.

He kept his hands outside his pockets.

There was a dog barking outside the house.

She finished the race five seconds outside the record.

We live outside the city.

I have never traveled outside the U.S. before.

No one outside the group knew of their plans.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While the forecast could change to some degree, freezing conditions are nearly certain outside. —David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025

Newton’s first law of motion states that an object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion remains in motion … unless acted on by an unbalanced [outside] force. —Eli Amdur, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024

Adjective

In other words, even if a person inherits a PCOS gene from a parent, the condition may or may not develop based on outside or nongenetic factors, like the presence of obesity, stress, or chemical exposures as an infant. —Laura Young, Verywell Health, 22 Jan. 2025

That executive order extended enrollment periods for many states and excelled funding for outside entities to assist Americans in enrolling. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

Adverb

Despite the frigid cold and the snowy mess, however, some Southerners decided to get outside to make the most of the ultra-rare occurrence. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025

Brighten your space with greenery When outside is uninspiring, bring nature indoors—studies find decorating your home with plants can improve your blood pressure, attention and even academic achievement. —Anna Haines, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Preposition

The bodies of McGeeney, Harrington and Johnson were found on Jan. 9, 2024, outside the home where Willis was staying. —Adam Carlson, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025

Two kitchen knives were found outside the back door of the home, police said. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1813, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing outside

• at the outside
• beyond/outside the bounds of possibility
• exterior/outside door
• on the outside
• outside chance
• outside interest
• outside of
• outside the door
• outside the law
• outside the range/realm of possibility
• outside the realm of the possible
• outside voice
• the outside
• the outside world
• think outside the box
• work outside the home

Kids Definition

outside

1 of 4 noun

out·​side (ˈ)au̇t-ˈsīd 

ˈau̇t-ˌsīd

1

: a place or region beyond an enclosure or boundary

2

: an outer side or surface

3

: the extreme limit of a guess : most

the crowd numbered 10,000 at the outside

outside

2 of 4 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or being on the outside

the outside edge

2

: connected with or leading to the outside

an outside door

3

: coming from outside

outside influences

4

: barely possible : remote

an outside chance

outside

3 of 4 adverb

: on or to the outside

waited outside in the hall

especially : outdoors entry 1

took the dog outside

outside

4 of 4 preposition

1

: on or to the outside of

outside the house

2

: beyond the limits of

outside the law

3

: except entry 1 sense 2, besides

nobody outside a few close friends