outside

Universal Words noun, adjective, preposition, adverb noun 1 (usually the outside) [C,usually sing.] the outer side or surface of sth: The outside of the house needs painting. * You can't open the door from the outside. 2 [sing.] the area that is near or around a building, etc: I walked around the outside of the building. * I didn't go into the church-I only saw it from the outside. 3 [sing.] the part of a road nearest to the middle: Always overtake on the outside. 4 [sing.] the part of a curving road or track furthest from the inner or shorter side of the curve OPPTHEINSIDE IDIOMS at the outside at the most; as a MAXIMUM: There was room for 20 people at the outside. on the outside 1 used to describe how sb appears or seems: On the outside she seems calm, but I know she's worried. 2 not in prison: Life on the outside took some getting used to again. adjective [onlybeforenoun] 1 of, on or facing the outer side SYNEXTERNAL: The outside walls are damp. 2 not situated in the main building; going out of the main building SYNEXTERNAL: an outside toilet * You have to pay to make outside calls. * I can't get an outside line. 3 not included in or connected with your group, organization, country, etc: We plan to use an outside firm of consultants. * She has a lot of outside interests (= not connected with her work). * They felt cut off from the outside world (= from other people and from other things that were happening). 4 used to say that sth is very unlikely: They have only an outside chance of winning. * 150 is an outside estimate (= it is very likely to be less). preposition (also outside of especially in AmE) 1 on or to a place on the outside of sth: You can park your car outside our house. OPPINSIDE 2 away from or not in a particular place: It's the biggest theme park outside the United States. * We live in a small village just outside Leeds. 3 not part of sth: The matter is outside my area of responsibility. * You may do as you wish outside working hours. OPPWITHIN 4 (outside of) apart from: There was nothing they could do, outside of hoping things would get better. adverb 1 not in a room, building or container but on or to the outside of it: I'm seeing a patient-please wait outside. * The house is painted green outside. 2 not inside a building: It's warm enough to eat outside. * Go outside and see if it's raining. OPPINSIDE