exterior

1 of 2

adjective

ex·​te·​ri·​or ek-ˈstir-ē-ər How to pronounce exterior (audio)
Synonyms of exteriornext
1
: being on an outside surface : situated on the outside
2
: observable by outward signs
His exterior quietness is belied by an occasional nervous twitch …—Current Biography
3
: suitable for use on outside surfaces
exterior paint
exteriorly adverb

exterior

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: an exterior part or surface : outside
b
: outward manner or appearance
2
: a representation (as on stage or film) of an outdoor scene
also : a scene filmed outdoors

Synonyms of exterior

Relevance

Adjective

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of exterior in a Sentence

Adjective the house's exterior walls badly need to be painted Noun The building has a rather plain exterior. the exterior of the tooth consists of very hard enamel
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Many of the town’s exterior shots were filmed along White Wharf and the fishing village of Bearskin Neck, a peninsula that served as military barracks during the War of 1812 and is now lined with local shops and restaurants. — Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 In her second collaboration with Brizé, Rohrwacher plays 43 years old Carla Moretti, a high-performing and devoted business executive, whose polished exterior conceals deep insecurities. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
Those include constant attention to flowers and landscaping, restoration of the exterior of the Plaza Medical Building, 315 Nichols Road. — Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026 The interior is probably the biggest improvement without having the same visually jarring impact the exterior’s changes have. — New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for exterior

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin, comparative of exter, exterus being on the outside, foreign, from ex

First Known Use

Adjective

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of exterior was in 1528

Phrases Containing exterior

Rhymes for exterior

See All Rhymes for exterior

Browse Nearby Words

extenuatory
exterior
exterior angle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exterior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exterior. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

exterior

1 of 2 adjective
ex·​te·​ri·​or ek-ˈstir-ē-ər How to pronounce exterior (audio)
1
: situated on the outside
2
: external entry 1 sense 1
3
: suitable for use on outside surfaces
exterior paint
exteriorly adverb

exterior

2 of 2 noun
1
: an exterior part or surface : outside
2
: visible manner or appearance
a calm exterior

Medical Definition

exterior

adjective
ex·​te·​ri·​or ek-ˈstir-ē-ər How to pronounce exterior (audio)
: being on an outside surface : situated on the outside
exteriorly adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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