OUTWARD

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does outward mean? 

• OUTWARD (adjective)
  The adjective OUTWARD has 2 senses:

1. relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind

2. that is going out or leaving

  Familiarity information: OUTWARD used as an adjective is rare.

• OUTWARD (adverb)
  The adverb OUTWARD has 1 sense:

1. toward the outside

  Familiarity information: OUTWARD used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OUTWARD (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind

Context example:

a concern with outward beauty rather than with inward reflections

Similar:

external (purely outward or superficial)

outer (located outside)

Also:

superficial (concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually)

Attribute:

outwardness (a concern with or responsiveness to outward things (especially material objects as opposed to ideal concepts))

Antonym:

inward (relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts)

Derivation:

outwardness (a concern with or responsiveness to outward things (especially material objects as opposed to ideal concepts))

outwardness (concern with outward things or material objects as opposed to the mind and spirit)

Sense 2

Meaning:

That is going out or leaving

Synonyms:

outbound; outward; outward-bound

Context example:

outward-bound ships

Similar:

outgoing (leaving a place or a position)

• OUTWARD (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Toward the outside

Synonyms:

outward; outwards

Context example:

move the needle further outward!

Antonym:

inward (toward the center or interior)

 Context examples 

Though she betrayed it by no outward sign, I felt, somehow, that she was greatly perturbed.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

You are usually directed outward toward helping others all the time, so it is exciting to see how the universe is saying that it’s time Virgo had a rich emotional life.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

It's his only compensation for the outward restraints he puts upon himself.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

One hand extended outward and began to descend upon his head.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

By straining to satisfy St. John till my sinews ache, I shall satisfy him—to the finest central point and farthest outward circle of his expectations.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Without enough energy created by fusion, the core of the star collapses in on itself, while the surface layers are ejected outward.

(Hubble Views Final Stages of a Star’s Life, ESA/NASA)

Either possiblity for the interior of Mimas would be interesting, according to Tajeddine, as the moon's heavily cratered outward appearance does not suggest anything unusual lies beneath its surface.

(Saturn Moon May Hide a 'Fossil' Core or an Ocean, NASA)

A condition marked by a humpback-like rounding or outward curve of the upper backbone.

(Kyphosis, NCI Dictionary)

Also characteristic are outward projections of the membrane between the epithelial deposits in the form of "spikes".

(Membranous Glomerulonephritis, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

A raised, outward growing lesion from the surface epithelium or the lumen of an organ.

(Exophytic Polypoid Lesion, NCI Thesaurus)