Outdoors
/ˌaʊtˈdɔrz/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe area or place outside a building or structure.
/ˌaʊtˈdɔrz/
The natural environment outside buildings.
We decided to have a picnic in the outdoors.
💡 Simply: The outdoors is like the world outside your house! It's where you go to play in the park, walk in the woods, or just enjoy the fresh air. It's anything that's not indoors.
👶 For kids: Outside, like the park or the forest!
More Examples
The children love playing outdoors.
She enjoys spending time in the outdoors.
How It's Used
"People enjoy spending time outdoors."
"The park provides a beautiful outdoors for hiking and picnicking."
In or to the open air; outside.
/ˌaʊtˈdɔrz/
Let's eat outdoors tonight.
💡 Simply: When you're outdoors, you're not inside a building! You might be in the backyard, at the beach, or on a camping trip.
👶 For kids: Away from inside, going outside!
More Examples
They like to play outdoors during the summer.
She prefers to exercise outdoors.
How It's Used
"They chose to eat outdoors."
"We're planning to spend the afternoon outdoors, enjoying the sunshine."
Idioms & expressions
go outdoors
To venture outside.
"The doctor recommended he go outdoors more often for fresh air."
bring the outdoors in
To decorate a space with elements of nature, like plants or natural materials.
"She decided to bring the outdoors in by adding some potted plants to her living room."
From Middle English *out dores*, meaning 'outside the doors', a compound of 'out' and 'doors'. The modern spelling reflects a shift in pronunciation and grammatical function.
The word's use has remained relatively consistent throughout history, primarily referring to the space outside.
Memory tip
Think of the 'doors' as the boundary between the inside and the 'outdoors'.
Word Origin
"out (from Middle English *out*) + doors (plural of door)"