n., adj., adv., & prep.
n. 1 the external side or surface; the outer parts (painted blue on the outside). 2 the external appearance; the outward aspect of a building etc. 3 (of a path) the side away from the wall or next to the road. 4 (also attrib.) all that is without; the world as distinct from the thinking subject (learn about the outside world; viewed from the outside the problem is simple). 5 a position on the outer side (the gate opens from the outside). 6 colloq. the highest computation (it is a mile at the outside). 7 an outside player in football etc. 8 (in pl.) the outer sheets of a ream of paper.
adj. 1 of or on or nearer the outside; outer. 2 a not of or belonging to some circle or institution (outside help; outside work). b (of a broker) not a member of the Stock Exchange. 3 (of a chance etc.) remote; very unlikely. 4 (of an estimate etc.) the greatest or highest possible (the outside price). 5 (of a player in football etc.) positioned nearest to the edge of the field.
adv. 1 on or to the outside. 2 in or to the open air. 3 not within or enclosed or included. 4 sl. not in prison.
prep. (also disp. foll. by of) 1 not in; to or at the exterior of (meet me outside the post office). 2 external to, not included in, beyond the limits of (outside the law). at the outside (of an estimate etc.) at the most. get outside of sl. eat or drink. outside and in outside and inside. outside broadcast Brit. a broadcast made on location and not in a studio. outside edge (on an ice-skate) each of the edges facing outwards when both feet are together. outside in = inside out. outside interest a hobby; an interest not connected with one's work or normal way of life. outside seat a seat nearer the end of a row. outside track the outside lane of a sports track etc. which is longer because of the curve.