exterior
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the outside part or surface of something, especially a building.
the outer surface or part of a physical structure or object.
Simple“The exterior of the house was painted a bright white to reflect the sun.”
In context“The architect specified a weather-resistant stone for the exterior to ensure the building would withstand the harsh coastal climate.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
the way a person looks or acts on the outside, which might be different from their real feelings.
the outward appearance or manner of a person, often contrasted with their internal emotional state.
Simple“Behind his tough exterior, he was actually a very kind and gentle man.”
In context“Despite her calm exterior, she was feeling incredibly nervous about the presentation she had to give to the board.”
Synonyms
“That microbes survived on the space station's exterior surprised scientists.”
From Latin exterior.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.