# external

/ɪkˈstɝnəɫ/ (US) · /ɛkstˈɜːnəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/external
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. on the outside

adjective · CEFR B2

located on the outside of something.

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

- 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.

### 2. from an outside source

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

coming from a different person, company, or group.

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

- 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.

### 3. foreign or international

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

relating to other countries or nations.

For teachers: relating to or connected with foreign nations or international affairs.

- 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.

### 4. computing hardware

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. outward appearances

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

the outward parts or appearance of something.

For teachers: 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.

### 6. programming variable

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The external walls of the house need painting.
- The company hired an external consultant to review their security procedures and provide an unbiased report.
- While internal motivation is essential for long-term success, external factors such as economic stability and social support networks play a significant role in determining an individual's trajectory.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.