outdoors
gb/ˈaʊtdˈɔɹz/ us/ˈaʊtdˈɔɹz/
A2
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
relation
1
Outside a building
Not inside a building; in the open air.
Usage pattern:
to be/go outdoors
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'outdoors' with 'outside'. 'Outdoors' is more about being in the open air, often for leisure or work, while 'outside' can mean simply not inside.
Synonyms
outside (Most common equivalent; slightly broader, can refer to being outside any enclosed space.)
Antonyms
indoors (Opposite in meaning; refers to being inside a building.)
Collocations
go outdoors
|spend time outdoors
|work outdoors
|enjoy the outdoors
Themes
daily life
|nature
|weather
|space
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She loves spending her weekends outdoors.
- The kids are playing outdoors despite the cold.
- We decided to eat our lunch outdoors to enjoy the sunshine.
- You need a jacket if you're going outdoors today.
Learner examples
- We eat outdoors in summer.
- He works outdoors every day.
- The children play outdoors after school.
Noun
B1
entity
2
The open air outside buildings
Places outside where there is fresh air, like parks, fields, or forests.
Usage pattern:
the outdoors
Common mistake:
Some learners mistakenly use 'outdoors' without 'the' when referring to nature as a place, but 'the outdoors' is standard for this noun sense.
Synonyms
open air (Neutral phrase meaning the outside environment, often used in similar contexts.)
Antonyms
indoors (Refers to enclosed spaces inside buildings, opposite of outdoor environments.)
Collocations
love the outdoors
|explore the outdoors
|protect the outdoors
Themes
nature
|recreation
|travel
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He enjoys photographing wildlife in the outdoors.
- The outdoors offers many opportunities for adventure.
- Spending time in the outdoors can improve your mood.
Learner examples
- I like to walk in the outdoors.
- The outdoors is beautiful in spring.
- We go to the outdoors on weekends.
Grammar
Dictionary form
outdoors
IPA
GB/ˈaʊtdˈɔɹz/
US/ˈaʊtdˈɔɹz/
Syllables & stress
out - doors (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (out)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: outdoors
Word family
Expressions
great outdoors
1/ɡɹˈeɪt ˈaʊtdˈɔɹz/
fixed phrase
Natural areas outside cities
The countryside, forests, mountains, and other natural places away from towns and cities.
Examples
- They went camping to enjoy the great outdoors.
- The great outdoors offers peace and fresh air.
outdoorsy type
1/ˈaʊtdˈuɹsi tˈaɪp/
fixed phrase
informal
Person who likes outdoor activities
Someone who likes doing things outside, like hiking or camping.
Examples
- He's an outdoorsy type who spends weekends hiking.
- If you're an outdoorsy type, you'll love this area.