outside

The surface of something that faces away from its middle.

• The outside of the box is blue.
• She painted the outside of the shed.
• Is the cake soft on the outside?

How to use it: the outside of something (We cleaned the outside of the windows.)

Similar words: exterior

Opposites: inside, interior

Common phrases: the outside of, on the outside

The way someone or something appears to other people, which may hide their true qualities.

• His calm outside hid his worry.
• Beneath her stern outside, she was deeply kind.
• Their cheerful outside concealed years of sadness.

Similar words: exterior

Common phrases: a tough outside, beneath the outside

On or forming the outer part or edge of something.

• The outside wall is white.
• Keep your feet near the outside edge.
• The outside layer protects the softer material.

Similar words: outer, external

Opposites: inside, inner

Common phrases: outside wall, outside edge, outside surface

Coming from beyond a particular place, group, or organization.

• We need outside help.
• The company hired outside experts.
• She resisted outside pressure to change her decision.

Similar words: external

Opposites: internal

Common phrases: outside help, outside influence, outside experts

In or toward a place beyond a building or another enclosed area.

• Please wait outside.
• The children went outside to play.
• I looked outside and saw snow.

Similar words: out

Opposites: inside

Common phrases: go outside, wait outside, look outside, eat outside

In a place beyond the walls of a building or enclosed space.

• We met outside the school.
• He parked outside my house.
• Are those people waiting outside the shop?

How to use it: outside something (A taxi was waiting outside the hotel.)

Similar words: without

Opposites: inside

Common phrases: outside the house, outside the door, outside a shop

Beyond the area, range, or limits of something.

• She has never traveled outside Europe.
• This problem is outside my control.
• Please avoid calling outside office hours.

How to use it: outside something (That question is outside the scope of this report.)

Similar words: beyond

Opposites: within

Common phrases: outside the country, outside working hours, outside my control

Except for a particular person, thing, or possibility.

• Outside of work, I have few interests.
• Outside of a small delay, the journey went well.
• Outside of winning a prize, we have no chance.

How to use it: outside of someone/something (Outside of her brother, nobody knew about the plan.)

Similar words: apart from, except for

Common phrases: outside of work, outside of someone, outside of something