exterior
Exterior (adjective) means relating to the outside of something. Example: “The exterior walls need a fresh coat of paint.”
How to use exterior
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe outside of something, or relating to the outside.
Word forms
exteriors plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ walls need a fresh coat of paint.
Etymology
From Latin exterior, "outer, further out".
Related words
Rhymes for exterior
See all rhymes for exterior →Frequently asked questions
What does “exterior” mean?
The word “exterior” means relating to the outside of something. In plain terms, the outside of something, or relating to the outside.
How do you pronounce “exterior”?
“Exterior” is pronounced ihk-STEER-reer (/ɪkˈstɪɹiɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “exterior” in a sentence?
Here is “exterior” used in a sentence: “The exterior walls need a fresh coat of paint.”
What is the opposite of “exterior”?
The opposite of “exterior” — its antonyms — is interior.
What part of speech is “exterior”?
Depending on how it is used, “exterior” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “exterior” come from?
The word “exterior” comes from Latin. From Latin exterior, "outer, further out".
Is “exterior” a common word?
“Exterior” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “exterior” have?
“Exterior” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the outside of something.
What is the difference between "exterior" and "interior"?
"Exterior" refers to the outside surface or part of something, such as the exterior of a building. "Interior" refers to the inside; the two are opposites, with exterior facing outward and interior facing inward.
What is the difference between "exterior" and "external"?
Both relate to the outside, but "exterior" usually refers to the outer surface or structure of a specific object, as in "the car's exterior". "External" more often describes something outside a system or coming from outside, as in "external factors" or "external walls".
What is the difference between the "exterior" and the "façade" of a building?
The "exterior" is the entire outside of a building, including all its outer walls and surfaces. A "façade" is specifically the front, or face, of a building meant to be seen; every façade is part of the exterior, but not all of the exterior is a façade.
What nouns commonly go with "exterior"?
"Exterior" often pairs with words such as "walls", "surface", "design", "paint", and "lighting", as in "exterior walls" or "exterior paint". As a noun it frequently follows a possessive, as in "the building's exterior".