outwardly

UK: /ˈaʊtwə^rdli/ US: (out′wərd lē)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

out•ward•ly  (out′wərd lē), adv. 

1. as regards appearance or outward manifestation:
   outwardly charming; outwardly considerate.
2. on the outside or outer surface;
   externally:
   Outwardly, the fruit was rough to the touch.
3. toward the outside:
   The pier stretched outwardly from the shore.

• 1350–1400; Middle English; see outward, -ly

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

outwardly / ˈaʊtwədlɪ/ adverb

1. in outward appearance
2. with reference to the outside or outer surface; externally

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

out•ward /ˈaʊtwɚd/   adj. [before a noun]

1. moving or directed toward the outside or away from a center:
   the outward flow of water.
2. relating to or being what is seen or apparent and not what is on the inside;
   relating to surface qualities only;
   superficial:
   an outward show of grief.
3. lying toward or on the outside;
   exterior;
   of or relating to the outside or the outer surface:
   an outward court.
4. belonging or relating to what is external to or outside of oneself:
   Outward influences affected her deeply.

adv. Also, ˈout•wards. 

5. toward the outside;
   out:
   The door opened outward.
6. away from port.
7. toward the world outside of or external to oneself:
   His country needed to look outward.

out•ward•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

out•ward  (out′wərd), adj. 

1. proceeding or directed toward the outside or exterior, or away from a central point:
   the outward flow of gold; the outward part of a voyage.
2. pertaining to or being what is seen or apparent, as distinguished from the underlying nature, facts, etc.;
   pertaining to surface qualities only;
   superficial:
   outward appearances.
3. belonging or pertaining to external actions or appearances, as opposed to inner feelings, mental states, etc.:
   an outward show of grief.
4. that lies toward the outside;
   that is on the outer side;
   exterior:
   an outward court.
5. of or pertaining to the outside, outer surface, or exterior:
   to make repairs on the outward walls of a house.
6. pertaining to the outside of the body;
   external.
7. pertaining to the body, as opposed to the mind or spirit.
8. belonging or pertaining to what is external to oneself:
   outward influences.

n. 

9. that which is external;
   the external or material world.
10. outward appearance.

adv. Also, out′wards. 

11. toward the outside;
    out.
12. visibly expressing one's inner feelings, mental state, etc.
13. away from port:
    a ship bound outward.
14. [Obs.] on the outside;
    externally.

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English ūtweard. See out, -ward

out′ward•ness, n.