Word forms: plural outsideslanguage note: The form outside of can also be used as a preposition. This form is more usual in American English.
1. countable noun
The outside of something is the part which surrounds or encloses the rest of it.
...the outside of the building. [+ of]
Cook over a fairly high heat until the outsides are browned.
Synonyms: exterior, face, front, covering More Synonyms of outside
Outside is also an adjective.
...high up on the outside wall.
2. adverb [beADVERB, ADVERB after verb, noun ADVERB]
If you are outside, you are not inside a building but are quite close to it.
'Was the car inside the garage?'—'No, it was still outside.'.
I stepped outside and pulled up my collar against the cold mist.
Outside, the light was fading rapidly.
The shouting outside grew louder.
Outside is also a preposition.
The victim was outside a shop when he was attacked.
Outside is also an adjective.
...the outside temperature.
...an outside toilet.
3. preposition
If you are outside a room, you are not in it but are in the passage or area next to it.
She'd sent him outside the classroom.
He stood in the narrow hallway just outside the door.
Outside is also an adverb.
They heard voices coming from outside in the corridor.
She heard the dog on the landing outside.
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
When you talk about the outside world, you are referring to things that happen or exist in places other than your own home or community.
...a side of Morris's character she hid carefully from the outside world.
It's important to have outside interests.
Outside is also an adverb.
The scheme was good for the prisoners because it brought them outside into the community.
5. preposition
People or things outside a country, town, or region are not in it.
...an old castle outside Budapest.
By broadcasting from 'pirate' radio ships based outside British territorial waters,they avoided official regulation.
...theatres both in and outside London.
Outside is also a noun.
Peace cannot be imposed from the outside by the United States or anyone else.
6. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
On a road with two separate carriageways, the outside lanes are the ones which are closest to its centre. Compare inside.
It was travelling in the outside lane at 78mph.
Outside is also a noun.
...coming up on the outside.
7. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Outside people or organizations are not part of a particular organization or group.
The company now makes much greater use of outside consultants.
...church services given on Sundays by outside chaplains.
Outside is also a preposition.
He is hoping to recruit a chairman from outside the company.
8. preposition
Outside a particular institution or field of activity means in other fields of activity or in general life.
The condition is practically unknown outside psychiatry clinics.
...the largest merger ever to take place outside the oil industry.
9. preposition
Something that is outside a particular range of things is not included within it.
She is a beautiful boat, but way, way outside my price range.
When Cathy sings about love, you feel that she's singing about something outsideher experience.
10. preposition
Something that happens outside a particular period of time happens at a different time from the one mentioned.
They are open outside normal daily banking hours.
...nor does it help if your job involves working outside normal office hours.
11. prepositional phrase [PREPOSITION noun/-ing]
Outside of is used to introduce the only thing or person that prevents your main statement from being completely true.
12.
See at the outside
More Synonyms of outside
English Easy Learning GrammarPrepositionsA preposition is one of a small but very common group of words that relate differentitems to each other. Most English prepositions have a number of meanings ... Read more
outside in British English
preposition (ˌaʊtˈsaɪd)
1. (sometimes foll by of)
on or to the exterior of
outside the house
2.
beyond the limits of
outside human comprehension
3.
apart from; other than
no-one knows outside you and me
adjective (ˈaʊtˌsaɪd)
4. (prenominal)
situated on the exterior
an outside lavatory
5.
remote; unlikely
an outside chance
6.
not a member of
7.
the greatest possible or probable (prices, odds, etc)
8.
(of a road lane, esp in a dual carriageway or motorway) situated nearer or nearest to the central reservation, for use by faster or overtaking vehicles
adverb (ˌaʊtˈsaɪd)
9.
outside a specified thing or place; out of doors
10. slang
not in prison
noun (ˈaʊtˈsaɪd)
11.
the external side or surface
the outside of the garage
12.
the external appearance or aspect
13.
the exterior or outer part of something
14.
(of a path, pavement, etc) the side nearest the road or away from a wall or building
15. sport
an outside player, as in football
16. (plural)
the outer sheets of a ream of paper
17. Canadian
(in the north) the settled parts of Canada
18. at the outside
19. outside in
▶ USAGE The use of outside of and inside of, although fairly common, is generally thought to be incorrect or non-standard: she waits outside (not outside of) the school
outside in American English
(ˈaʊtˌsaɪd; ˌ aʊtˈsaɪd)
noun
1.
the outer side, part, or surface; exterior
2.
a.
outward aspect or appearance; that part of anything that is presented to view
b.
that which is obvious or superficial
3.
any place or area not inside
adjective
4.
of or on the outside; outer
5.
a.
originating, coming from, or situated beyond given limits; from some other place, person, group, etc.
to accept no outside help
b.
leading to the outside
6.
extreme; maximum
an outside estimate
7.
mere; slight
an outside chance
8. Baseball
passing home plate beyond the side of the plate that is farthest from the batter
adverb
9.
on or to the outside
10.
beyond certain limits
11.
in or into the open air
preposition
12.
on or to the outer side of
13.
beyond the limits of
14. Informal
except
Idioms:
at the outside
outside of
More idioms containing
outside
think outside the box
COBUILD Collocations
outside
step outside
Examples of 'outside' in a sentence
outside
Maybe it is just outside the game?
The Sun (2017)
Something outside the scope of their experience.
The Sun (2017)
People who read or look at screens a lot are protected if they also spend time outside.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
You learn so much outside the classroom.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The beginnings of an answer may lie in an innocuous sign set just outside the door to the lower basilica.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
On the road from Nairobi we passed a billboard outside an evangelical church.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Having outside space in the form of off-street parking and a garden is also a bonus.
The Sun (2016)
We got outside, ran around and climbed trees.
The Sun (2016)
When a love relationship steps outside daily routine, you and a partner feel close again.
The Sun (2016)
The graveyard would be just outside town.
Christianity Today (2000)
There was always something outside or inside the building to please the eye.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
They found the germs thrived when it was cold outside and dry indoors.
The Sun (2009)
The lack of outside space has not curbed rising values.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We were a normal family dealing not only with our own stuff but also these outside forces.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
For many prisoners life inside is so much better than outside that some ask to stay.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Yet these are contented times outside football.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We read stories instead of running around outside.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
When a player is fighting with his club it is normal to stay outside.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The wife throws a wobbly if her youngest son ventures outside to play football.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
No one receives any reliable information about the outside world.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The impressive visitors maintained their outside chance of reaching the playoffs with this fine win.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The world outside their windows is of little concern.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The second concern for outside investors is corruption.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He is a man that works for the other players and he is also a good man outside ofthe pitch.
The Sun (2008)
In other languages
outside
British English: outside /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/ ADJECTIVE
An outside thing surrounds another thing.
...high up on the outside wall.
American English: outside
Arabic: خَارِجِيَ
Brazilian Portuguese: externo
Chinese: 外面的
Croatian: vanjski
Czech: venkovní
Danish: udvendige
Dutch: buiten
European Spanish: exterior
Finnish: ulkopuolella oleva
French: extérieur
German: Außen-
Greek: εξωτερικός
Italian: esterno
Japanese: 外側の
Korean: 외부의
Norwegian: utvendig
Polish: zewnętrzny
European Portuguese: externo
Romanian: exterior
Russian: внешний
Latin American Spanish: exterior
Swedish: utvändig
Thai: ด้านนอก
Turkish: dışarı
Ukrainian: зовнішній
Vietnamese: ở ngoài
British English: outside /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/ ADVERB
If you are outside, you are not in a building.
Let's play outside.
American English: outside
Arabic: خَارِجَاً
Brazilian Portuguese: lá fora
Chinese: 在外面
Croatian: vani
Czech: venku
Danish: udenfor
Dutch: buiten
European Spanish: fuera lugar
Finnish: ulkopuolella
French: dehors
German: außen
Greek: απ’ έξω
Italian: fuori
Japanese: 外側に
Korean: 밖에서
Norwegian: ute
Polish: na zewnątrz
European Portuguese: lá fora
Romanian: afară
Russian: снаружи
Latin American Spanish: fuera afuera
Swedish: ute
Thai: ข้างนอก
Turkish: dışarıda
Ukrainian: назовні
Vietnamese: ở ngoài
British English: outside /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/ NOUN
The outside of something is the part that covers the rest of it.
They are painting the outside of the building.
American English: outside
Arabic: خَارِجٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: exterior
Chinese: 外面
Croatian: vanjština
Czech: vnějšek
Danish: yderside
Dutch: buitenkant
European Spanish: exterior
Finnish: ulkopuoli
French: extérieur
German: Außenseite
Greek: εξωτερικό
Italian: facciata
Japanese: 外側
Korean: 외부
Norwegian: utside
Polish: zewnętrzna strona
European Portuguese: exterior
Romanian: exterior
Russian: внешняя сторона
Latin American Spanish: exterior
Swedish: utsida
Thai: ภายนอก
Turkish: dışarısı
Ukrainian: зовнішній бік
Vietnamese: bên ngoài
British English: outside /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/ PREPOSITION
If you are outside something or somewhere, you are not inside it.
The man was waiting outside a shop.
American English: outside
Arabic: خَارِجُ
Brazilian Portuguese: fora
Chinese: 在...外
Croatian: izvan
Czech: před prostorově
Danish: uden for
Dutch: buiten
European Spanish: fuera de
Finnish: ulkopuolella
French: hors de
German: außerhalb
Greek: εκτός από
Italian: fuori
Japanese: ･･･の外側に
Korean: ...의 밖에
Norwegian: utenfor
Polish: poza
European Portuguese: fora
Romanian: în afara
Russian: вне
Latin American Spanish: fuera de
Swedish: utanför
Thai: นอก
Turkish: dışarıda
Ukrainian: поза
Vietnamese: ở ngoài
Chinese translation of 'outside'
outside
(autˈsaɪd)
n(c)
(= exterior)
[of container]外面 (wàimiàn) (个(個), gè)
[of building]外表 (wàibiǎo) (个(個), gè)
adj
(= exterior)[wall, surface]外部的 (wàibù de)
⇒ a long wooden shed that stood against the outside wall紧靠外墙的一个长长的木棚 (jǐn kào wài qiáng de yī gè chángcháng de mùpéng)
(= outdoor)[toilet]户(戶)外的 (hùwài de)
⇒ We only had an outside toilet.我们只有一个户外厕所。 (Wǒmen zhǐyǒu yī gè hùwài cèsuǒ.)
(= independent) 外界的 (wàijiè de)
⇒ a report prepared by a group of outside consultants由一组外界顾问准备的报告 (yóu yī zǔ wàijiè gùwèn zhǔnbèi de bàogào)
adv
[be, wait]在外面 (zài wàimiàn)
⇒ It was dark outside.外面很黑。 (Wàimiàn hěn hēi.)
[go]向外面 (xiàng wàimiàn)
⇒ Let's go outside.我们到外面去吧。 (Wǒmen dào wàimiàn qù ba.)
prep
(= on the outside of)[place]在 ... 外 (zài ... wài)
⇒ There was a demonstration outside the embassy.在大使馆外有示威游行。 (Zài dàshǐguǎn wài yǒu shìwēi yóuxíng.)
[organization]在 ... 以外 (zài ... yǐwài)
⇒ He is hoping to recruit a chairman from outside the company.他希望在公司以外招聘一位主席。 (Tā xīwàng zài gōngsī yǐwài zhāopìn yī wèi zhǔxí.)
(= not included in)[period]在 ... 以外 (zài ... yǐwài)
⇒ You'll have to do it outside office hours.你得在办公时间以外做这件事。 (Nǐ děi zài bàngōng shíjiān yǐwài zuò zhè jiàn shì.)
[price range]超出 (chāochū)
⇒ a beautiful guitar, but way outside my price range是把漂亮的吉他，但超出了我能承受的价格范围 (shì bǎ piàoliang de jítā, dàn chāochūle wǒ néng chéngshòu de jiàgé fànwéi)
(= near to)[larger place]在 ... 附近 (zài ... fùjìn)
⇒ a small village just outside Birmingham在伯明翰附近的小村庄 (zài Bómínghàn fùjìn de xiǎo cūnzhuāng)
an outside chance微乎其微的机(機)会(會) (wēi hū qí wēi de jīhuì)
⇒ He's got an outside chance of winning.他赢的机会微乎其微。 (Tā yíng de jīhuì wēi hū qí wēi.)
at the outside (= at the most) 最多 (zuì duō) (= at the latest) 最迟(遲) (zuì chí)
the outside world外界 (wàijiè)
outside of (= apart from) 除了 (chúle)
All related terms of 'outside'
outside of
( apart from ) 除了 chúle
outside lane
( right-hand side of road ) 右边(邊)车(車)道 yòubiān chēdào
outside line
外线(線) wàixiàn [ 条(條) tiáo ]
at the outside
( at the most ) 最多 zuì duō
an outside chance
微乎其微的机(機)会(會) wēi hū qí wēi de jīhuì ⇒ He's got an outside chance of winning. → 他赢的机会微乎其微。 Tā yíng de jīhuì wēi hū qí wēi.
Cracks are beginning to appear on the outside wall.
Synonyms
external
the external surface of the wall
outer
Peel away the outer skin of the onion.
exterior
The exterior walls were made of pre-formed concrete.
surface
extreme
outdoor
There were outdoor cafés on almost every block.
outward
In spite of my outward calm, I was very shaken.
superficial
It may well look different but the changes are only superficial.
extraneous
outermost
extramural
Opposites
inside,
internal
,
interior
,
indoor
,
inner
,
inward
,
innermost
,
intramural
2 (adjective)
Definition
remote
I thought I had an outside chance of winning.
Synonyms
remote
The chances of his surviving are pretty remote.
small
a diet of one small meal a day
unlikely
A military coup seems unlikely.
slight
It's only made a slight difference.
slim
a slim chance
poor
poor wages and terrible working conditions
A poor crop has sent vegetable prices spiralling.
distant
He's a distant relative.
faint
She made a faint attempt at a laugh.
marginal
This is a marginal improvement on October.
doubtful
It seemed doubtful that he would move at all.
dubious
slender
the first slender hope of peace
meagre
a meagre 3% pay rise
negligible
inconsiderable
He was a man of great charm and not inconsiderable wit.
(adverb)
Definition
outside a specified thing or place
I went outside and sat on the steps.
Synonyms
outdoors
The ceremony was being held outdoors.
out
out of the house
out-of-doors
(noun)
Definition
the external side or surface of something
the outside of the buildingGrill until the outsides are browned.
Synonyms
exterior
The exterior of the building was a masterpiece of architecture.
face
We climbed 200 feet up the cliff face.
front
Attached to the front of the house was a veranda.
covering
skin
banana skins
surface
The road surface had started breaking up.
shell
coating
We put on the second coating of lacquer.
finish
façade
the façade of the building
topside
idiom
See on the outside looking in
Usage note
The use of outside of and inside of, although fairly common, is generally thought to be incorrect or nonstandard: She waits outside (not outside of) the school.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of coating
Definition
a layer or film spread over a surface
We put on the second coating of lacquer.
Synonyms
layer,
covering,
finish,
skin,
sheet,
coat,
dusting,
blanket,
membrane,
glaze,
film,
varnish,
veneer,
patina,
lamination
in the sense of distant
He's a distant relative.
Synonyms
remote,
slight,
indirect
in the sense of doubtful
Definition
unlikely or improbable
It seemed doubtful that he would move at all.
Synonyms
unlikely,
unclear,
dubious,
unsettled,
dodgy (British, Australian, New Zealand, informal),
questionable,
ambiguous,
improbable,
indefinite,
unconfirmed,
inconclusive,
debatable,
indeterminate,
iffy (informal),
equivocal,
inexact
Synonyms of 'outside'
outside
Explore 'outside' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of face
Definition
the front or main side of an object, building, etc.
We climbed 200 feet up the cliff face.
Synonyms
side,
front,
cover,
outside,
surface,
aspect,
exterior,
right side,
elevation,
facet,
vertical surface
in the sense of faint
Definition
lacking clarity, brightness, or volume
She made a faint attempt at a laugh.
Synonyms
slight,
weak,
feeble,
unenthusiastic,
remote,
slim,
vague,
slender
in the sense of façade
the façade of the building
Synonyms
front,
face,
exterior,
frontage
in the sense of front
Definition
a position or place directly before or ahead
Attached to the front of the house was a veranda.
Synonyms
exterior,
facing,
face,
façade,
frontage,
anterior,
obverse,
forepart
in the sense of inconsiderable
Definition
not worth considering
He was a man of great charm and not inconsiderable wit.
Synonyms
insignificant,
small,
slight,
light,
minor,
petty,
trivial,
trifling,
negligible,
unimportant,
small-time (informal),
inconsequential,
exiguous
in the sense of marginal
Definition
not important
This is a marginal improvement on October.
Synonyms
insignificant,
small,
low,
minor,
slight,
minimal,
negligible
in the sense of meagre
Definition
not enough in amount or extent
a meagre 3% pay rise
Synonyms
insubstantial,
little,
small,
poor,
spare,
slight,
inadequate,
pathetic,
slender,
scant,
sparse,
deficient,
paltry,
skimpy,
puny,
measly (informal),
scanty,
exiguous (formal),
scrimpy
in the sense of outdoor
Definition
taking place, existing, or intended for use in the open air
There were outdoor cafés on almost every block.
Synonyms
open-air,
outside,
out-of-door(s),
alfresco
in the sense of outer
Definition
on the outside
Peel away the outer skin of the onion.
Synonyms
external,
outside,
outward,
exterior,
exposed,
outermost
in the sense of outward
Definition
apparent or superficial
In spite of my outward calm, I was very shaken.
Synonyms
apparent,
seeming,
outside,
surface,
external,
outer,
superficial,
ostensible
Additional synonyms
in the sense of poor
Definition
lacking in (something)
poor wages and terrible working conditionsA poor crop has sent vegetable prices spiralling.
Synonyms
meagre,
inadequate,
insufficient,
reduced,
lacking,
slight,
miserable,
pathetic,
incomplete,
scant,
sparse,
deficient,
skimpy,
measly (informal),
scanty,
pitiable,
niggardly,
straitened,
exiguous
in the sense of skin
Definition
any outer layer or covering
banana skins
Synonyms
peel,
rind,
husk,
casing,
outside,
crust
in the sense of slender
the first slender hope of peace
Synonyms
faint,
slight,
remote,
slim,
thin,
weak,
fragile,
feeble,
flimsy,
tenuous
in the sense of slight
Definition
not very important or lacking in substance
It's only made a slight difference.
Synonyms
small,
minor,
insignificant,
negligible,
weak,
modest,
trivial,
superficial,
feeble,
trifling,
meagre,
unimportant,
paltry,
measly (informal),
insubstantial,
scanty,
inconsiderable
in the sense of slim
Definition
poor
a slim chance
Synonyms
slight,
remote,
faint,
distant,
fragile,
slender,
improbable,
negligible,
flimsy
in the sense of small
Definition
not large in size or amount
a diet of one small meal a day
Synonyms
meagre,
inadequate,
insufficient,
scant,
measly (informal),
scanty,
limited,
inconsiderable
in the sense of superficial
Definition
of, near, or forming the surface
It may well look different but the changes are only superficial.