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Definition outside in American English

outside adjective, adverb, noun, preposition

adjective, adverb, noun, preposition
/ˌaʊtˈsaɪd/

Outside can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun): He was sitting at a table outside the café.

as an adverb (without a following noun): Why don’t you go and play outside?It’s cold outside.

as an adjective (before a noun): the outside wall of the building

as a singular noun: The house doesn’t look very impressive from the outside.

in the preposition phrase outside of: We usually hold meetings outside of business hours.He has told no one outside of a few close friends.

1

not inside a building

1.1

not inside a building

Example

Outside the sun was shining.

Example

I could hear the sound of voices coming from somewhere outside.

Synonyms and related words
1.2

close to a place, building, or room but not in it

Example

Three police cars were parked outside their house.

Example

We waited outside in the hallway until it was our turn to go in.

Example

A crowd had gathered outside the gates of the U.S. embassy.

Example

The exhibition will open on a site just outside Paris.

Synonyms and related words
1.3

away from a particular country, area, or town

Example

Her name is almost unknown outside of Latin America.

Example

The air is much cleaner outside Los Angeles.

Synonyms and related words
2

moving or looking out of a building or room

2.1

moving or looking out of a building or room

Example

I walked over to the window and looked outside.

Example

Let's go outside and sit in the sun.

Example

Residents were warned not to venture outside their homes.

Synonyms and related words
2.2

moving out of a country, area, or town

Example

Emily Brontë had never traveled outside Yorkshire.

Synonyms and related words
3

used for referring to the outer part or surface of something

Example

The outside walls were painted gray.

Example

First remove the outside skin of the onion.

Example

The outside of the house is in urgent need of repair.

4

not within the limits of a particular time, range, or situation

4.1

not within the limits of a particular time, range, or situation

Example

classes held outside normal school hours

Example

The failure was caused by circumstances outside our control.

Example

Until then love was something outside my experience.

4.2

not within the limits of a particular subject or activity

Example

George's passion outside business is playing.

Example

mathematical discoveries that will have a big impact outside of mathematics

5

except a particular thing or person

Example

I seldom meet anyone outside of the people I work with.

Synonyms and related words
6

used for saying what is done or known by people who are not in a particular group or organization

6.1

used for saying what is done or known by people who are not in a particular group or organization

Example

Observers outside the government believe the program is a waste of money.

Example

The secret was never revealed outside the family circle.

6.2

used for referring to people who do not belong to a particular group or organization

Example

State governors resent outside interference from Washington.

Example

The department has commissioned outside contractors to do the job.

Example

The company brought in advisers from outside.

Definition outside in American English