What does outside mean?
Outside describes a position beyond a boundary, enclosure, or surrounding area, as in “They waited outside the station.” It can also mean in the open air, away from an interior space, or beyond the limits of a group, institution, or ordinary experience. The word commonly functions as an adverb or preposition, while its noun and adjective uses are less frequent. For example, outside the building means beyond its walls, and outside help means assistance from someone not connected with a particular person or situation. The expression outside of is especially common in informal American English. Outside is useful because it describes not merely distance but the relation of something to a boundary: an object may be outside a room, an activity may be outside someone’s expertise, or an event may take place outside ordinary conditions.
Beyond an outer boundary, in the open air, or away from a place, group, or set of conditions.
"The meeting was held outside to allow more people to attend."
The most common modern use of the word.
Beyond or on the far side of a boundary, place, group, or condition.
"The path led outside the village and into the woods."
Common in formal writing and in everyday speech; outside of is an informal alternative, especially in American English.
An area or position beyond a boundary or enclosed space.
"The crowd gathered in the outside."
This noun use is relatively uncommon.
Situated beyond a boundary or in an exterior area.
"An outside team won the final match."
This adjective use is less common than the adverb and preposition senses.
The plural is rare and is used mainly in the sense of outer areas or exterior regions.
"The outsides of the building were painted white."
The word outside literally points outward: it comes from out and side, the outer side of something.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outside come from?
Outside comes from the combination of out and side, literally referring to the outer side of something. The compound appears in Middle English, developing from older expressions that similarly meant an outer position or region. Its modern senses extend the basic spatial idea to areas beyond a group, institution, or set of circumstances. The related words exterior, external, and extra derive from Latin roots associated with being outside.
Related word forms
How outside is actually used
Outside is formal and neutral in register. The phrase outside of is common in American English and informal in British English, where outside alone is often preferred. As a noun and adjective, outside is relatively uncommon compared with its use as an adverb or preposition.
Easily confused with outside
Outside can describe a position beyond a boundary or refer to a specific outer area, whereas outdoors refers to being in the open air rather than indoors.
Beside means next to or alongside something, while outside means beyond or away from a boundary or enclosed space.