ENGLISH
REFERENCE

external

adj. · n.
US //ɪkˈstɝnəɫ// UK //ɛkstˈɜːnəl// ex·ter·nal
  1. 1 on the outside (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    located on the outside of something.

    situated on or relating to the outside or exterior of an object or body.

    Example

    The external walls of the house were painted white to reflect the heat.

    Example

    The external structure of the spacecraft was designed to withstand the extreme thermal fluctuations encountered during atmospheric re-entry.
  2. 2 from an outside source (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    coming from a different person, company, or group.

    originating from or provided by a source outside the subject or organisation under consideration.

    Example

    The company hired an external consultant to review their finances.

    Example

    The university underwent an external audit to ensure that its research funding was being allocated according to national guidelines.
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 foreign or international (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    relating to other countries or nations.

    relating to or connected with foreign nations or international affairs.

    Example

    The government is reviewing its external trade policies this year.

    Example

    The ministry of external affairs issued a statement regarding the escalating diplomatic tensions in the region.
  2. 4 computing hardware (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    a piece of equipment that is not inside the main computer.

    referring to hardware or storage devices that are connected to but not contained within the main chassis of a computer.

    Example

    I keep all my backup photos on an external hard drive.

    Example

    The server's capacity was expanded using an external storage array connected via a high-speed fibre channel.
  3. 5 outward appearances (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Literary

    the outward parts or appearance of something.

    the outward features, appearances, or exterior aspects of a person or thing; typically used in the plural.

    Example

    He was a kind man, though his externals were rough and intimidating.

    Example

    The philosopher argued that one should focus on the cultivation of the soul rather than the fleeting nature of worldly externals.
    • internals
  4. 6 programming variable (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Computing

    a value in a computer program that comes from outside the current file.

    a variable defined in the source code whose value is derived from an external source or shared across multiple modules.

    Example

    The programmer declared the configuration setting as an external.

    Example

    By using externals, the development team ensured that the core logic remained decoupled from the environment-specific parameters.
Origin

From Late Middle English, from Medieval Latin externus (“outward, external”), from exter/exterus (“on the outside, outward”).

Word family

© 2026 English Reference