outward

[ out-werd ]

adjective

1. proceeding or directed toward the outside or exterior, or away from a central point:

   the outward flow of gold; the outward part of a voyage.

2. pertaining to or being what is seen or apparent, as distinguished from the underlying nature, facts, etc.; pertaining to surface qualities only; superficial:

   outward appearances.

3. belonging or pertaining to external actions or appearances, as opposed to inner feelings, mental states, etc.:

   an outward show of grief.

4. that lies toward the outside; that is on the outer side; exterior:

   an outward court.

5. of or relating to the outside, outer surface, or exterior:

   to make repairs on the outward walls of a house.

6. pertaining to the outside of the body; external.
7. pertaining to the body, as opposed to the mind or spirit.
8. belonging or pertaining to what is external to oneself:

   outward influences.

noun

1. that which is external; the external or material world.
2. outward appearance.

adverb

1. toward the outside; out.
2. visibly expressing one's inner feelings, mental state, etc.
3. away from port:

   a ship bound outward.

4. Obsolete. on the outside; externally.

outward

/ ˈaʊtwəd /

adjective

1. of or relating to what is apparent or superficial
2. of or relating to the outside of the body
3. belonging or relating to the external, as opposed to the mental, spiritual, or inherent
4. of, relating to, or directed towards the outside or exterior
5. (of a ship, part of a voyage, etc) leaving for a particular destination
6. the outward man
   1. the body as opposed to the soul
   2. clothing

adverb

1. (of a ship) away from port
2. a variant of outwards

noun

1. the outward part; exterior

Derived Forms

• ˈoutwardness, noun

Other Words From

• outward·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of outward¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English ūtweard. See out, -ward

Example Sentences

Despite her efforts, the 27-year-old star says, she feels Hollywood’s outward support for female creatives — especially from other women with well-established careers — has just been lip service.

From Los Angeles Times

As its title character embarks on a gender transition that whisks her away from her violent drug-dealing past and into a placid domestic future, director Jacques Audiard concocts a dizzying Spanish-language musical whose outward bombastic flair anchors an intimate focus on the inner lives of women in contemporary Mexico.

From Los Angeles Times

All the doors open from the middle outward.

From Los Angeles Times

The dark comedy shows Trump learning how to trade his morals for an outward appearance of toughness, a deal the doe-eyed mogul-in-waiting is quick to make.

From Salon

As a retired psychotherapist who is always balancing looking inward and looking outward, I weigh worst-case scenarios.

From Salon

Related Words

• apparent
• noticeable