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Outwards vs External - What's the difference?

outwards | external |

As an adverb outwards

is from the interior toward the exterior; in an outward direction.

As an adjective external is

outside of something; on the exterior.

outwards

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • From the interior toward the exterior; in an outward direction.
  • * Sir Isaac Newton
    • Light falling on them is not reflected outwards .
  • (obsolete) Outwardly; (merely) on the surface.
  • * 1526 , William Tyndale, trans. Bible , Matthew XXIII:
    • Wo be to you scrybes, and pharises ypocrites, for ye are lyke unto paynted tombes which appere beautyfull outwardes : but are within full off deed mens bones and of all fylthynes.

    Anagrams

    * *

    external

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Outside of something; on the exterior.
    • This building has some external pipework.
  • * Milton
    • Of all external things, / She [Fancy] forms imaginations, aery shapes.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Her virtues graced with external gifts.
  • Not intrinsic nor essential; accidental; accompanying; superficial.
  • * Trench
    • The external circumstances are greatly different.
  • Foreign; relating to or connected with foreign nations.
    • external''' trade or commerce; the '''external relations of a state or kingdom
  • (anatomy) Away from the mesial plane of the body; lateral.

    • Antonyms

    * internal

    Related terms

    * externalization * externalize * externalism * externalist * externality

    External links

    * * * English words suffixed with -al