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

When snow is in the forecast, set a clean bowl outdoors in an open area, and let the snow collect in it. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2025

Eggshells decompose very slowly, taking more than a year to break down outdoors, so most of their calcium is locked in the shell and unavailable to feed plants. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2025

Noun

Spend your days exploring the great outdoors on nature walks, blissed out at the spa on the property, or sampling entrees and desserts at the on-site restaurant–all within plain view of the Hudson river. —Rachel Fletcher, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2025

Built by Roane and Sherwin Loudermilk of Loudermilk Homes, members of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program, this three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath retreat brings the outdoors in. —Cece Lesesne, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 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