outwardly
gb/ˈaʊtwɚdli/ us/ˈaʊtwɚdli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
relation
1
in outward appearance
in the way someone or something looks on the outside
Usage pattern:
outwardly + [adjective] / outwardly, [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse outwardly (appearance) with openly (not secretly).
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.)
Collocations
outwardly calm
|outwardly confident
|outwardly polite
|outwardly friendly
|outwardly successful
|outwardly normal
|outwardly composed
|outwardly unaffected
|outwardly supportive
|outwardly quiet
Themes
emotions
|communication
|social_life
Examples
- Outwardly she seemed relaxed, but her hands were shaking under the table.
- The company looked outwardly stable, yet it was struggling with debt.
- He was outwardly polite to everyone in the meeting.
Learner examples
- Outwardly, he looks calm.
- She is outwardly friendly.
adverb
C1
relation
2
toward the outside
to the outside; away from the center
Usage pattern:
[something] moves/expands/spreads outwardly (from [place])
Common mistake:
Often confused with outward (more common for physical direction); outwardly is also used for appearance.
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.)
Collocations
expand outwardly
|spread outwardly
|radiate outwardly
|grow outwardly
|extend outwardly
|move outwardly
|push outwardly
|curve outwardly
|bulge outwardly
|open outwardly
Themes
space
|movement
|science
Examples
- The crack spread outwardly from the point of impact.
- The metal bent outwardly as pressure increased inside the pipe.
- The roots grow outwardly and can damage nearby paving.
Learner examples
- The circle grows outwardly.
- The door opens outwardly.
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.
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.