outside
11 synonyms and 1 antonyms for outside, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The outer part or surface of something; the area beyond its boundary.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use outside
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Frequently asked questions
What does “outside” mean?
The word “outside” means the outer part or surface of something; the area beyond its boundary. In plain terms, beyond the boundary of something — a place, a building, a group, or a set of rules.
How do you pronounce “outside”?
“Outside” is pronounced owt-SYD (/aʊtˈsaɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “outside” in a sentence?
Here is “outside” used in a sentence: “The outside of the house needs a fresh coat of paint.”
What is the opposite of “outside”?
The opposite of “outside” — its antonyms — is inside.
What part of speech is “outside”?
Depending on how it is used, “outside” can be a noun, an adjective, a preposition and an adverb.
Is “outside” a common word?
“Outside” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “outside” have?
“Outside” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the outer part or surface of something; the area beyond its boundary.
What is the difference between the outside and the exterior?
Both mean the outer part of something, but they differ in tone and use. 'Outside' is the everyday word and can also mean the whole area beyond a boundary. 'Exterior' is more formal and usually refers to the outer surface of a building or object, as in a house's exterior.
What is the opposite of outside?
The opposite is the inside or interior — the part enclosed within something's boundary. Where the outside is the outer surface or the area beyond, the inside is the space contained within. A building's outside is its walls and roof; its inside is the rooms they enclose.
What is an example of the outside of something?
The outside of a house is its walls, roof, and front — everything you see before you step in. The outside of an apple is its skin. The outside of a box is its outer surface. In each case, it is the part facing the world, beyond the object's edge.