outer
OW-tuh
Outer (adj) means Farther from the center; on the outside. Example: “Wear a waterproof outer coat over your jumper if it rains.”
adj
1
Farther from the center; on the outside.
"Wear a waterproof outer coat over your jumper if it rains."
"They live in one of the outer suburbs of the city."
"The outer layer of the cake was a thin chocolate shell."
How to use outer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFurther away from the middle of something; the opposite of "inner."
Common pairings
outer space
outer layer
outer edge
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Word forms
- Plural
- outers
- Comparative
- outermore
- Superlative
- outermost, outmost
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Wear a waterproof _____ coat over your jumper if it rains.
Etymology
From Old English ūtera, built from "out" plus the comparative ending "-er"; a distant relative of the word "utter."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for outer
See all rhymes for outer →Frequently asked questions
What does “outer” mean?
The word “outer” means farther from the center; on the outside. In plain terms, further away from the middle of something; the opposite of "inner.".
How do you pronounce “outer”?
“Outer” is pronounced OW-tuh (/ˈaʊtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “outer” in a sentence?
Here is “outer” used in a sentence: “They live in one of the outer suburbs of the city.”
What is another word for “outer”?
Words with a similar meaning to “outer” include informant.
What is the opposite of “outer”?
The opposite of “outer” — its antonyms — is inner.
What part of speech is “outer”?
“Outer” is an adjective.
Where does the word “outer” come from?
The word “outer” comes from Old English. From Old English ūtera, built from "out" plus the comparative ending "-er"; a distant relative of the word "utter.".
Is “outer” a common word?
“Outer” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "outer" and "inner"?
"Outer" means farther from the centre or on the outside, while "inner" means closer to the centre or on the inside. An outer wall faces outward, whereas an inner wall sits within the structure.
What is the difference between "outer" and "outside"?
"Outer" is an adjective placed before a noun, meaning farther from the centre, as in "the outer layer." "Outside" can work as a noun, adjective, preposition, or adverb referring to the exterior or the area beyond something, as in "the outside of the box."
What is the difference between "outer" and "external"?
Both point toward the outside, but "outer" is comparative, naming the part farther from the centre, as in the outer ring. "External" contrasts with internal, meaning belonging to or coming from the outside, as in external factors.
What are common phrases that use "outer"?
Frequent collocations include outer space, outer layer, outer edge, outer limits, and outer ear. Each describes the part that is farthest from a centre or inside.
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