Outward
/ˈaʊtwərd/
Definitions
2 meaningsRelating to the external or visible aspects of something.
/ˈaʊtwərd/
Relating to the outside or external appearance.
The outward sign of his illness was a high fever.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone who seems happy on the outside, even if they're feeling sad inside. That's their outward appearance!
👶 For kids: When you look at someone or something from the outside, that's outward!
More Examples
The company's outward growth was impressive, though internally they faced challenges.
The outward design of the building was very modern.
How It's Used
"Her outward appearance was calm, but she was anxious inside."
"The therapist assessed the patient's outward behavior to understand their internal state."
Towards the outside; away from the center or interior.
/ˈaʊtwərd/
Towards the outside or away from a center.
The branches of the tree grew outward.
💡 Simply: Like when you spread your arms wide, your hands are moving outward.
👶 For kids: Going outside or away from the middle, like when you open a door to go outside!
More Examples
The pressure pushed the walls outward.
She turned her palms outward in a gesture of peace.
How It's Used
"The river flowed outward from the mountains."
"The force pushed outward from the point of impact."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
outward bound
Traveling away from a point, especially on a journey.
"The ship was outward bound for Europe."
From Old English *ūtweard*, meaning 'directed towards the outside' or 'exterior'. It's a compound of *ūt* (out) and *weard* (direction, towards).
In older texts, 'outward' could sometimes refer to a 'visible' sign or direction. It has maintained a fairly consistent meaning since its inception.
Memory tip
Think of the *outward* appearance of a building, not the internal structure.
Word Origin
"towards the outside"