external

[ ik-stur-nl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the outside or outer part; outer:

   an external surface.

   Synonyms: exterior, outermost

   Antonyms: internal

2. Medicine/Medical. to be applied to the outside of a body, as a remedy:

   for external use only.

3. situated or being outside something; acting or coming from without:

   external influences.

   Antonyms: internal

4. pertaining to the outward or visible appearance or show:

   external acts of worship.

5. pertaining to or concerned with foreign countries:

   external affairs;

   external commerce.

6. Zoology, Anatomy. on the side farthest from the body, the median line, or the center of a radially symmetrical form.
7. Metaphysics. of or relating to the world of things, considered as independent of the perceiving mind:

   external world.

noun

1. the outside; outer surface; exterior.
2. something that is external.
3. externals, external features, circumstances, etc.; outward appearance; superficialities.

external

/ ɪkˈstɜːnəl /

adjective

1. of, situated on, or suitable for the outside; outer
2. coming or acting from without

   external evidence from an independent source

3. of or involving foreign nations; foreign
4. of, relating to, or designating a medicine that is applied to the outside of the body
5. anatomy situated on or near the outside of the body

   the external ear

6. education denoting assessment by examiners who are not employed at the candidate's place of study
7. (of a student) studying a university subject extramurally
8. philosophy (of objects, etc) taken to exist independently of a perceiving mind

noun

1. often plural an external circumstance or aspect, esp one that is superficial or inessential
2. a student taking an extramural subject

Derived Forms

• exˈternally, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·ternal·ly adverb
• nonex·ternal adjective noun
• nonex·ternal·ly adverb
• quasi-ex·ternal adjective
• quasi-ex·ternal·ly adverb
• semi·ex·ternal adjective
• semi·ex·ternal·ly adverb
• subex·ternal adjective
• subex·ternal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of external¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; equivalent to extern + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of external¹

C15: from Latin externus outward, from exterus on the outside, from ex out of

Example Sentences

It can be damaged by normal cellular processes as well as external factors such as UV radiation and chemicals.

From Science Daily

"I fully support the club's decision to appeal the severity of the ban," Postecoglou told Sky Sports, external.

From BBC

This new co-culture technique opens avenues to study how both internal and external factors, including skincare products, affect the microbiota in various skin locations.

From Science Daily

They don’t need to accord with external reality.

From Salon

The 25-year-old Spain midfielder has been repeatedly linked with Manchester City, external since Rodri's injury.

From BBC

Related Words

• extraneous
• foreign