external
gb/ɪkstˈɚnəl/ us/ɪkstˈɚnəl/
B1
English
~ 1900
külső, külügyi, külsőleges
B1
1
külső
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] is external to [something]
The external walls of the building need repainting.
Az épület külső falait újra kell festeni.
External pressures can affect a company's decisions.
A külső nyomás befolyásolhatja egy vállalat döntéseit.
This medicine is for external use only.
The device connects via an external port.
We must consider both internal and external factors.
Learner examples
The external door is painted blue.
A külső ajtó kékre van festve.
He bought an external hard drive.
Vett egy külső merevlemezt.
This cream is for external use.
The external wall is very strong.
We looked at the external side of the house.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'external' with 'eternal', which has a completely different meaning (lasting forever).
Meaning
On or relating to the outside
Collocations
external factors
|external hard drive
|external pressure
|external wall
|external appearance
Synonyms
outer (More commonly used for physical position, less formal.)
Antonyms
internal (Refers to being inside rather than outside.)
Themes
general
|description
|location
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
On or about the outside of something.
Situated on, acting on, or coming from the outside of something.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
external [relations/policy/affairs]
The ministry is responsible for external affairs.
A minisztérium a külügyekért felel.
Our external partners are based in Europe.
Külső partnereink európai székhelyűek.
The company hired an external consultant for advice.
External trade has increased this year.
Diplomats manage a country's external relations.
Learner examples
She works in external affairs.
A külügyek területén dolgozik.
The company has many external partners.
A vállalatnak sok külső partnere van.
We need better external communication.
They study external trade.
The minister handles external relations.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'external' with 'international'; while related, 'external' can also refer to outside an organization, not just a country.
Meaning
Connected with outside countries or organizations
Collocations
external affairs
|external relations
|external partner
|external communication
Synonyms
foreign (Common for international matters; less formal in tone.)
Antonyms
domestic (Refers to matters within one country or organization.)
Themes
politics
|business
Definition
About other countries or groups outside your own.
Relating to dealings with foreign countries or entities outside a specific organization.
B1
TECHNICAL
3
külsőleges
B2
külső
A2
Usage pattern:
external [device/use/application]
This ointment is for external use only.
Ez a kenőcs kizárólag külsőleges használatra való.
The machine uses an external sensor to detect movement.
A gép egy külső érzékelővel észleli a mozgást.
External devices can be connected via USB.
Doctors examined the patient's external injuries.
Learner examples
This cream is for external use only.
Ez a krém kizárólag külsőleges használatra való.
The phone has an external camera.
A telefonnak van egy külső kamerája.
We saw the external damage to the car.
He put an external sensor on the door.
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'outer' instead of 'external' in technical contexts, which can sound less precise.
Meaning
Applied or acting on the outside surface
Collocations
external use only
|external sensor
|external device
Synonyms
surface (Describes location on top; less formal and less specific.)
Antonyms
internal (Located inside the body or object.)
Themes
medicine
|technology
|health
|body
Definition
Used on the outside surface of something, especially the body.
Designed to be used on or operate on the outer surface of the body or an object.
Grammar
Dictionary form
external
IPA
GB/ɪkstˈɚnəl/
US/ɪkstˈɚnəl/
Syllables & stress
ex - tern - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tern)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: external
Word family
Core family
externally
adverb
Related words
exterior
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
internal
adjective B1
internally
adverb B2
Advanced or less common
externalize
verb
externalization
noun
Expressions
external affairs
1/ɪkstˈɚnəl əfˈɛɹz/
fixed phrase
formal
Matters involving foreign countries or outside parties
Things about a country's work with other countries, or an organization's work with other groups.
Examples
- He works in the department of external affairs.
- External affairs influence trade policy.
external hard drive
1/ɪkstˈɚnəl hˈɑɹd dɹˈaɪv/
fixed phrase
Portable computer storage device used externally
A computer storage device you connect from outside the computer.
Examples
- I keep backups on an external hard drive.
- She bought an external hard drive for extra space.
for external use only
1/fɚ ɪkstˈɚnəl jˈus ˈoʊnli/
fixed phrase
technical
Only to be used on the outside of the body
Only for putting on the skin or outside of something, not inside.
Examples
- This lotion is labeled 'for external use only'.
- The instructions clearly state that it is for external use only.