external
ihk-STUR-nuhl
External (adjective) means coming from, or relating to, the outside of something. Example: “The company hired an external consultant to review its finances.”
adjective
1
Coming from, or relating to, the outside of something.
"This building has some external pipework."
"The company hired an external consultant to review its finances."
"Apply the cream to the external area only."
"The external walls of the cottage need a fresh coat of paint."
How to use external
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishComing from outside — a person, cause, or part not belonging to the inside of something.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
external factors
external hard drive
external audit
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Word forms
- Plural
- externals
- Comparative
- more external
- Superlative
- most external
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The company hired an _____ consultant to review its finances.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin externus, "outward, external".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for external
See all rhymes for external →Frequently asked questions
What does “external” mean?
The word “external” means coming from, or relating to, the outside of something. In plain terms, coming from outside — a person, cause, or part not belonging to the inside of something.
How do you pronounce “external”?
“External” is pronounced ihk-STUR-nuhl (/ɛkˈstɜɹ.nəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “external” in a sentence?
Here is “external” used in a sentence: “The company hired an external consultant to review its finances.”
What is the opposite of “external”?
The opposite of “external” — its antonyms — is internal.
What part of speech is “external”?
“External” is an adjective.
Where does the word “external” come from?
The word “external” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin externus, "outward, external".
Is “external” a common word?
“External” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between external and internal?
External refers to the outside of something, while internal refers to the inside. An external wall faces the weather; an internal wall divides rooms. External factors come from outside an organisation, whereas internal ones arise within it. The pair are direct opposites, split simply by outside versus inside.
What is an example of external?
A building's external walls form its outer shell. A laptop might use an external hard drive plugged in from outside, and a company may hire external consultants who are not its own staff. Each example points to something located or originating beyond the thing itself.
What is the opposite of external?
The opposite is internal, meaning inside or within. Where external describes the outer surface, source, or influence, internal describes the inner one. Related opposites include inner, inside, and interior. The right choice depends on whether something belongs to the outside or the inside of a thing.
Is external always about a physical outside?
No. External can be physical, like an external wall, or abstract, like external pressures, external funding, or external examiners. In those cases it means coming from beyond a particular group, system, or body rather than from a literal outer surface. The core idea of "outside" stays the same.
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