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View synonyms for external

external

[ ik-stur-nl ]

adjective

  1. of or relating to the outside or outer part; outer:

    an external surface.

    Synonyms: exterior, outermost

    Antonyms: internal

  2. Medicine/Medical. to be applied to the outside of a body, as a remedy:

    for external use only.

  3. situated or being outside something; acting or coming from without:

    external influences.

    Antonyms: internal

  4. pertaining to the outward or visible appearance or show:

    external acts of worship.

  5. pertaining to or concerned with foreign countries:

    external affairs;

    external commerce.

  6. Zoology, Anatomy. on the side farthest from the body, the median line, or the center of a radially symmetrical form.
  7. Metaphysics. of or relating to the world of things, considered as independent of the perceiving mind:

    external world.



noun

  1. the outside; outer surface; exterior.
  2. something that is external.
  3. externals, external features, circumstances, etc.; outward appearance; superficialities.

external

/ ɪkˈstɜːnəl /

adjective

  1. of, situated on, or suitable for the outside; outer
  2. coming or acting from without

    external evidence from an independent source

  3. of or involving foreign nations; foreign
  4. of, relating to, or designating a medicine that is applied to the outside of the body
  5. anatomy situated on or near the outside of the body

    the external ear

  6. education denoting assessment by examiners who are not employed at the candidate's place of study
  7. (of a student) studying a university subject extramurally
  8. philosophy (of objects, etc) taken to exist independently of a perceiving mind


noun

  1. often plural an external circumstance or aspect, esp one that is superficial or inessential
  2. a student taking an extramural subject

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Derived Forms

  • exˈternally, adverb

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Other Words From

  • ex·ternal·ly adverb
  • nonex·ternal adjective noun
  • nonex·ternal·ly adverb
  • quasi-ex·ternal adjective
  • quasi-ex·ternal·ly adverb
  • semi·ex·ternal adjective
  • semi·ex·ternal·ly adverb
  • subex·ternal adjective
  • subex·ternal·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of external1

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; equivalent to extern + -al 1

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Word History and Origins

Origin of external1

C15: from Latin externus outward, from exterus on the outside, from ex out of

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Example Sentences

While preaching D.A.R.E. in schools, we made a drug out of external validation.

The Navy and Marine Corps versions of the F-35 have differing configurations and rely on an external gun pod.

However useful they might be for external purposes, they will always be dangerous internally.

He wants to know every external detail, even if the escape is ultimately to be shot on a sound stage.

After all, the Prince of necessity had to focus on defeating his external enemies.

She had expected personality, magnetism, as a compensation for nature's external economies.

However, she was not seeking refreshment or help from any source, either external or from within.

In a strict sense, of course, no child's drawing is absolutely spontaneous and independent of external stimulus and guidance.

Lombard Street has thus shown that it has fully learnt the only lesson that the external side of the crisis had to teach it.

Lost as he was to most external things, Hugh roused himself to some surprise at the name of the hotel.

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externExternal Affairs