exterior

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​te·​ri·​or ek-ˈstir-ē-ər How to pronounce exterior (audio)
Synonyms of exteriornext
1
: being on an outside surface : situated on the outside
2
: observable by outward signs
His exterior quietness is belied by an occasional nervous twitch …—Current Biography
3
: suitable for use on outside surfaces
exterior paint
exteriorly adverb

exterior

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: an exterior part or surface : outside
b
: outward manner or appearance
2
: a representation (as on stage or film) of an outdoor scene
also : a scene filmed outdoors

Synonyms of exterior

Relevance

Adjective

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of exterior in a Sentence

Adjective the house's exterior walls badly need to be painted Noun The building has a rather plain exterior. the exterior of the tooth consists of very hard enamel
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The arthropod group includes animals that are without a backbone or any bones at all, strictly speaking, their bodies being encased in a ringed, exterior tegument and having legs and, sometimes, wings. — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 There is an accumulation of food debris on exterior surfaces of oven in kitchen. — Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Noun
But despite a few poetic moments in its interior, its exterior can seem too simple and even mean. — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 The exterior of 10 Downing Street was filmed outside the British Foreign Office in London. — Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exterior

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin, comparative of exter, exterus being on the outside, foreign, from ex

First Known Use

Adjective

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of exterior was in 1528

Phrases Containing exterior

Rhymes for exterior

See All Rhymes for exterior

Browse Nearby Words

extenuatory
exterior
exterior angle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exterior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exterior. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

exterior

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​te·​ri·​or ek-ˈstir-ē-ər How to pronounce exterior (audio)
1
: situated on the outside
2
: external entry 1 sense 1
3
: suitable for use on outside surfaces
exterior paint
exteriorly adverb

exterior

2 of 2 noun
1
: an exterior part or surface : outside
2
: visible manner or appearance
a calm exterior

Medical Definition

exterior

adjective
ex·​te·​ri·​or ek-ˈstir-ē-ər How to pronounce exterior (audio)
: being on an outside surface : situated on the outside
exteriorly adverb
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