external
gb/ɪkstˈɚnəl/ us/ɪkstˈɚnəl/
B1
English
~ 1900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
On or relating to the outside
On or about the outside of something.
Usage pattern:
[something] is external to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'external' with 'eternal', which has a completely different meaning (lasting forever).
Synonyms
outer (More commonly used for physical position, less formal.)
Antonyms
internal (Refers to being inside rather than outside.)
Collocations
external factors
|external hard drive
|external pressure
|external wall
|external appearance
Themes
general
|description
|location
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The external walls of the building need repainting.
- External pressures can affect a company's decisions.
- 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.
- He bought an external hard drive.
- This cream is for external use.
- The external wall is very strong.
- We looked at the external side of the house.
adjective
B2
property
2
Connected with outside countries or organizations
About other countries or groups outside your own.
Usage pattern:
external [relations/policy/affairs]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'external' with 'international'; while related, 'external' can also refer to outside an organization, not just a country.
Synonyms
foreign (Common for international matters; less formal in tone.)
Antonyms
domestic (Refers to matters within one country or organization.)
Collocations
external affairs
|external relations
|external partner
|external communication
Themes
politics
|business
Examples
- The ministry is responsible for external affairs.
- Our external partners are based in Europe.
- 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.
- The company has many external partners.
- We need better external communication.
- They study external trade.
- The minister handles external relations.
adjective
technical
B1
property
3
Applied or acting on the outside surface
Used on the outside surface of something, especially the body.
Usage pattern:
external [device/use/application]
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'outer' instead of 'external' in technical contexts, which can sound less precise.
Synonyms
surface (Describes location on top; less formal and less specific.)
Antonyms
internal (Located inside the body or object.)
Collocations
external use only
|external sensor
|external device
Themes
medicine
|technology
|health
|body
Examples
- This ointment is for external use only.
- The machine uses an external sensor to detect movement.
- External devices can be connected via USB.
- Doctors examined the patient's external injuries.
Learner examples
- This cream is for external use only.
- The phone has an external camera.
- We saw the external damage to the car.
- He put an external sensor on the door.
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.