outwardly

[ out-werd-lee ]

adverb

1. as regards appearance or outward manifestation:

   outwardly charming; outwardly considerate.

2. on the outside or outer surface; externally:

   Outwardly, the fruit was rough to the touch.

3. toward the outside:

   The pier stretched outwardly from the shore.

outwardly

/ ˈaʊtwədlɪ /

adverb

1. in outward appearance
2. with reference to the outside or outer surface; externally

Word History and Origins

Origin of outwardly¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; outward, -ly

Example Sentences

Logan was mild-mannered and polite, as a couple they had a typical teenage relationship that outwardly showed no red flags until the end.

From BBC

Lawrence himself refuses the role outwardly, citing a crisis of faith, but there are those who accuse him of harboring such ambitions.

From Los Angeles Times

“We don’t have, I don’t think, outwardly partisan folks on the board,” he said.

From Salon

She expresses herself through her music and song outwardly.

From Salon

How, we wonder, could so many men, outwardly so ordinary, allegedly commit such a crime?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• seemingly
• superficially