Word
external
Phoneticsex·ter·nal, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪkˈstɝnəɫ/
UK/ɛkstˈɜːnəl/
Definitions
01on the outside
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. located on the outside of something.
adj. situated on or relating to the outside or exterior of an object or body.
日本語:外側※
Español:externo
“The external walls of the house were painted white to reflect the heat.”
“The external structure of the spacecraft was designed to withstand the extreme thermal fluctuations encountered during atmospheric re-entry.”
02from an outside source
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
adj. coming from a different person, company, or group.
adj. originating from or provided by a source outside the subject or organisation under consideration.
Español:externo
“The company hired an external consultant to review their finances.”
“The university underwent an external audit to ensure that its research funding was being allocated according to national guidelines.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03foreign or international
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. relating to other countries or nations.
adj. relating to or connected with foreign nations or international affairs.
日本語:対外※
“The government is reviewing its external trade policies this year.”
“The ministry of external affairs issued a statement regarding the escalating diplomatic tensions in the region.”
Synonyms
04computing hardware
B2 · Upper Intermediate Computing Technical
adj. a piece of equipment that is not inside the main computer.
adj. referring to hardware or storage devices that are connected to but not contained within the main chassis of a computer.
“I keep all my backup photos on an external hard drive.”
“The server's capacity was expanded using an external storage array connected via a high-speed fibre channel.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
05outward appearances
C1 · Advanced Plural noun Formal · Literary
n. the outward parts or appearance of something.
n. the outward features, appearances, or exterior aspects of a person or thing; typically used in the plural.
“He was a kind man, though his externals were rough and intimidating.”
“The philosopher argued that one should focus on the cultivation of the soul rather than the fleeting nature of worldly externals.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
06programming variable
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Computing Technical
n. a value in a computer program that comes from outside the current file.
n. a variable defined in the source code whose value is derived from an external source or shared across multiple modules.
“The programmer declared the configuration setting as an external.”
“By using externals, the development team ensured that the core logic remained decoupled from the environment-specific parameters.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “external” in context.
Adjective
01. external agent
“The chemical reaction was triggered by an external agent introduced to the solution.”
adj + noun
02. external condition
“The plant's growth depends heavily on external conditions like sunlight and humidity.”
adj + noun
03. external control
“The device is operated via external control using a remote application.”
adj + noun
04. external environment
“Businesses must adapt quickly to changes in the external environment to remain competitive.”
adj + noun
05. external factor
“Several external factors, including the weather, contributed to the project's delay.”
adj + noun
06. external force
“The object will remain at rest unless acted upon by an external force.”
adj + noun
07. external influence
“The jury was instructed to reach a verdict without any external influence from the media.”
adj + noun
08. external linking
09. external sites
10. concurrent external
11. external for more news
12. external affairs
Real-World Examples
“In a statement on Thursday, the company said its financial situation was due to "external economic challenges".” “The plant, Europe’s largest with six reactors, produces no electricity but needs power supplied by two external links to keep nuclear fuel cool, Reuters said.” “There is a lag between ageing parents developing care needs and accepting external forms of help, and it’s in that lag that family members step in.” Etymology
From Late Middle English, from Medieval Latin externus (“outward, external”), from exter/exterus (“on the outside, outward”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/external
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0