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Definition outside in British 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 corridor until it was our turn to go in.

Example

A crowd had gathered outside the gates of the US 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

The postal service is better outside London.

Example

Her name is almost unknown outside of Latin America.

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

Let's go outside and sit in the sun.

Example

I walked over to the window and looked outside.

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 travelled outside Yorkshire.

Synonyms and related words
3

used for referring to the outer part or surface of something

Example

The outside walls were painted grey.

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 rugby.

Example

mathematical discoveries that will have a big impact outside of mathematics

5

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

5.1

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 programme is a waste of money.

Example

The secret was never revealed outside the family circle.

5.2

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

Example

The company brought in advisers from outside.

Example

State governors resent outside interference from Washington.

Example

The department has commissioned outside contractors to do the job.

6

except a particular thing or person

Example

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

Synonyms and related words
Definition outside in British English