outwardly
OWT-wuhd-lee
Outwardly (adv) means On the surface or in appearance, as opposed to internally. Example: “Outwardly, he seemed fine, but inside he was falling apart.”
adv
1
On the surface or in appearance, as opposed to internally.
"Outwardly, he seemed fine, but inside he was falling apart."
"She remained outwardly polite even though she was furious."
How to use outwardly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs far as anyone can see from the outside — often contrasted with how someone truly feels.
Common pairings
outwardly calm
outwardly confident
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_____, he seemed fine, but inside he was falling apart.
Etymology
From Middle English outwardly, outwardli, utwardliche, matching outward + -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for outwardly
See all rhymes for outwardly →Frequently asked questions
What does “outwardly” mean?
The word “outwardly” means on the surface or in appearance, as opposed to internally. In plain terms, as far as anyone can see from the outside — often contrasted with how someone truly feels.
How do you pronounce “outwardly”?
“Outwardly” is pronounced OWT-wuhd-lee (/ˈaʊtwɚdli/ in IPA).
How do you use “outwardly” in a sentence?
Here is “outwardly” used in a sentence: “Outwardly, he seemed fine, but inside he was falling apart.”
What is another word for “outwardly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “outwardly” include superficially and to all appearances.
What part of speech is “outwardly”?
“Outwardly” is an adverb.
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