Word
outdoors
Phoneticsout·doors, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈaʊtˈdɔɹz/
UK/aʊtdˈɔːz/
Definition
adv. outside in the open air, rather than inside a building.
adv. in the open air; outside a house or building. This adverbial use is non-gradable and typically follows the verb.
Examples
“I love spending time in the great outdoors.”
“After working in a windowless office all week, she spent her Saturday enjoying the outdoors.”
“The documentary explores how regular exposure to the outdoors can significantly reduce stress levels and improve cognitive function in urban populations.”
Examples
simple
“I love spending time in the great outdoors.”
contextual
“After working in a windowless office all week, she spent her Saturday enjoying the outdoors.”
complex
“The documentary explores how regular exposure to the outdoors can significantly reduce stress levels and improve cognitive function in urban populations.”
Pitfall
We had an outdoors party.
We had an outdoor party.
Use 'outdoor' (no -s) as an adjective before a noun. Use 'outdoors' as an adverb or noun.
Etymology
From out + doors (plural of door), probably as a shortening of out of doors. Alternatively, from outdoor (adjective) + -s (adverbial genitive suffix).
From outdoor (verb) + -s (third-person singular suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/outdoors