outwardly
gb/ˈaʊtwɚdli/ us/ˈaʊtwɚdli/
B2
English
kifelé, külsőre
B2
1
Usage pattern:
outwardly + [adjective] / outwardly, [clause]
Outwardly she seemed relaxed, but her hands were shaking under the table.
Kifelé nyugodtnak tűnt, de az asztal alatt remegett a keze.
The company looked outwardly stable, yet it was struggling with debt.
A cég külsőre stabilnak tűnt, mégis adósságokkal küzdött.
He was outwardly polite to everyone in the meeting.
Learner examples
Outwardly, he looks calm.
Kifelé nyugodtnak látszik.
She is outwardly friendly.
Kifelé barátságos.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse outwardly (appearance) with openly (not secretly).
Meaning
in outward appearance
Collocations
outwardly calm
|outwardly confident
|outwardly polite
|outwardly friendly
|outwardly successful
|outwardly normal
|outwardly composed
|outwardly unaffected
|outwardly supportive
|outwardly quiet
Synonyms
apparently (Often suggests the surface impression may be misleading.)
|
seemingly (Highlights that something looks true, not necessarily is true.)
|
on the surface (More explicitly contrasts appearance with deeper reality.)
Antonyms
inwardly (Refers to inner feelings or private thoughts rather than outward behavior.)
|
internally (Focuses on what is inside a person or system, not visible outside.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|social_life
Definition
in the way someone or something looks on the outside
In a way that is visible to other people; judging by appearance or public behavior rather than inner feelings or reality.
C1
2
kifelé
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] moves/expands/spreads outwardly (from [place])
The crack spread outwardly from the point of impact.
A repedés a becsapódás pontjától kifelé terjedt.
The metal bent outwardly as pressure increased inside the pipe.
Ahogy nőtt a nyomás a csőben, a fém kifelé hajlott.
The roots grow outwardly and can damage nearby paving.
Learner examples
The circle grows outwardly.
A kör kifelé tágul.
The door opens outwardly.
Az ajtó kifelé nyílik.
Common mistake:
Often confused with outward (more common for physical direction); outwardly is also used for appearance.
Meaning
toward the outside
Collocations
expand outwardly
|spread outwardly
|radiate outwardly
|grow outwardly
|extend outwardly
|move outwardly
|push outwardly
|curve outwardly
|bulge outwardly
|open outwardly
Synonyms
outward (More common and shorter in physical-direction uses.)
|
externally (Often used for the outer surface or outside of a system.)
|
to the outside (Plain phrasing; less formal.)
Antonyms
inwardly (Toward the inside or center.)
|
inward (More common for physical direction toward the inside.)
Themes
space
|movement
|science
Definition
to the outside; away from the center
In a direction away from the inside or center; toward the outside surface or outer area.
Grammar
Dictionary form
outwardly
IPA
GB/ˈaʊtwɚdli/
US/ˈaʊtwɚdli/
Syllables & stress
out - wardly (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (out)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: outwardly
- Plural: outwardlies
Word family
Expressions
outwardly ..., but inwardly ...
1/ˈaʊtwɚdli ‖ | bˈʌt ˈɪnwɚdli |/
fixed phrase
appearance versus inner feelings
used to say someone looks one way, but feels another way inside
Examples
- Outwardly he joked about it, but inwardly he was hurt.
- Outwardly the plan was simple, but inwardly it depended on many small risks.
- She was outwardly calm, but inwardly she was panicking.
Learner examples
- Outwardly she smiles, but inwardly she is sad.
outwardly and inwardly
1/ˈaʊtwɚdli ˈænd ˈɪnwɚdli/
fixed phrase
formal
both externally and internally
in your actions and in your feelings
Examples
- The training is meant to strengthen teams outwardly and inwardly.
- He tried to be honest outwardly and inwardly, even when it was difficult.
- The experience changed her outwardly and inwardly over time.
Learner examples
- I want to be strong outwardly and inwardly.