noun , adjective , preposition , adverb
■ noun / ˌaʊtˈsaɪd; NAmE /
1.
(usually the outside ) [ C , usually sing. ] the outer side or surface of sth
SYN exterior :
The outside of the house needs painting.
You can't open the door from the outside.
2.
[ sing. ] the area that is near or around a building, etc. :
I walked around the outside of the building.
I didn't go into the temple—I only saw it from the outside.
3.
[ sing. ] the part of a road nearest to the middle :
Always overtake on the outside .
4.
[ sing. ] the part of a curving road or track furthest from the inner or shorter side of the curve
OPP the inside
•
IDIOMS
- at the outside
- on the outside
■ adjective / ˈaʊtsaɪd/ [ only before noun ]
1.
of, on or facing the outer side
SYN external :
The outside walls are damp.
2.
not located in the main building; going out of the main building
SYN external :
an outside toilet
You have to pay to make outside calls.
I can't get an outside line.
3.
not included in or connected with your group, organization, country, etc. :
We plan to use an outside firm of consultants.
She has a lot of outside interests (= not connected with her work) .
They felt cut off from the outside world (= from other people and from other things that were happening) .
4.
used to say that sth is very unlikely :
They have only an outside chance of winning.
150 is an outside estimate (= it is very likely to be less) .
■ preposition /ˌaʊtˈsaɪd/ (also out·side of especially in NAmE )
1.
on or to a place on the outside of sth :
You can park your car outside our house.
OPP inside
2.
away from or not in a particular place :
It's the biggest theme park outside the United States.
We live in a small village just outside Leeds.
3.
not part of sth :
The matter is outside my area of responsibility.
You may do as you wish outside working hours.
OPP within
4.
outside of apart from :
There was nothing they could do, outside of hoping things would get better.
■ adverb /ˌaʊtˈsaɪd/
1.
not in a room, building or container but on or to the outside of it :
I'm seeing a patient—please wait outside.
The house is painted green outside.
2.
not inside a building :
It's warm enough to eat outside.
Go outside and see if it's raining.
OPP inside
••
SYNONYMS
outside
in the open air ♦ outdoors ♦ out of doors ♦ in the fresh air ♦ under the stars
These words all mean not inside a building.
outside
not inside a building:
Let's eat outside.
in the open air
( often approving ) not inside a building, especially in a place where the air is clean and fresh, for example in the countryside or in a park.
outdoors
not inside a building:
Try to avoid going outdoors in very cold or icy weather.
out of doors
outdoors:
You should spend more time out of doors.
•
It was the first time in his life that he'd slept out of doors.
outside, outdoors or out of doors?
Outside is often more particular and outdoors is usually more general:
Go and play outside (= out of this house now) .
•
Fewer and fewer children spend time playing outdoors (= out of their houses in general) .
Out of doors is used in the same way as outdoors , but it is less frequent, especially in North American English.
in the fresh air
( approving ) outside where the air is clean and fresh, especially when this makes you feel good.
under the stars
outside at night, especially on a fine, clear night:
We often slept under the stars.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
to sleep / camp outside / in the open air / outdoors / out of doors / in the fresh air / under the stars
to eat / play / spend time outside / in the open air / outdoors / out of doors / in the fresh air
to go / venture outside / outdoors / out of doors
out in the open air / in the fresh air