Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

External

//ɪkˈstɜː.nəl// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Outside of something; on the exterior.

    "This building has some external pipework."

  2. 2
    Outside of something; on the exterior.; Situated near or toward the surface of the body.
  3. 3
    Outside of something; on the exterior.; Relating to or denoting a medicine or similar substance for use on the outside of the body. relational
  4. 4
    Capable of being perceived outwardly.; Having merely the outward appearance of something.
  5. 5
    Capable of being perceived outwardly.; Not intrinsic or essential.

    "The external circumstances are greatly different."

Show 6 more definitions
  1. 6
    Provided by something or someone outside of the entity (object, group, company etc.) considered.

    "external authority, external force"

  2. 7
    Relating to or connected with foreign nations or institutions.

    "external trade or commerce; the external relations of a state or kingdom"

  3. 8
    Having existence independent of the mind.

    "external reality"

  4. 9
    For or concerning students registered with and taking the examinations of a university but not resident there.

    "external degrees"

  5. 10
    Not contained in the main computer.
  6. 11
    Using a disk or tape drive rather than the main memory.
Adjective
  1. 1
    happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface wordnet
  2. 2
    purely outward or superficial wordnet
  3. 3
    from or between other countries wordnet
  4. 4
    coming from the outside wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    The exterior; outward features or appearances.; Inessential or superficial features. plural-normally

    "To a non-Christian who has never experienced but only observed the externals of Christianity, it appears to be merely another spiritual system, but to a person who has left one of the other religions and embraced the Christian faith, it is most definitely The Way, and all else pales to insignificance."

  2. 2
    outward features wordnet
  3. 3
    The exterior; outward features or appearances.; Outward appearance. plural-normally

    "They had been such declared, such personal enemies, that, even in a court, it seemed wonderful how a decent external could be given to their reconciliation."

  4. 4
    A variable that is defined in the source code but whose value comes from some external source.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Late Middle English, from Medieval Latin externus (“outward, external”), from exter/exterus (“on the outside, outward”).

Etymology 2

From Late Middle English, from Medieval Latin externus (“outward, external”), from exter/exterus (“on the outside, outward”).

See also for "external"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: external