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

Argentine officials determined that the singer died from multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding caused by the fall.

From Los Angeles Times

Located on a cell's surface, this protein-based sensor recognizes an external signal that triggers the cell to respond -- usually by turning on a user-defined gene.

From Science Daily

The NCA has highlighted a particular area that is a “crucible” for organised immigration crime: the crossing between Turkey and Bulgaria, which marks the EU’s external frontier.

From BBC

The cold weather payment is a government benefit top-up to help with fuel bills, external.

From BBC

It's why heart attacks and strokes are more common in the winter, external.

From BBC

Related Words

• extraneous
• foreign