# outer

/ˈaʊtɝ/ (US) · /ˈaʊtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/outer
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. external

adjective · CEFR B1

on the outside of something.

For teachers: located on the outside; external.

- The outer layer of the jacket is waterproof to keep you dry.
- The spacecraft's outer hull was reinforced with heat-resistant tiles to withstand the friction of atmospheric reentry.

### 2. further from the center

adjective · CEFR B2

further away from the middle or center of something.

For teachers: situated further from the center or the interior.

- We live in the outer suburbs, so it takes an hour to reach the city.
- Astronomers are studying the gas giants located in the outer solar system to better understand planetary formation.

### 3. target shooting

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the part of a target that is furthest from the center.

For teachers: the outermost ring or circle on a target, or a shot that hits this area.

- His first shot was an outer, but he soon improved his aim.
- The novice archer was disappointed to hit the outer, narrowly avoiding missing the target altogether during the final round.

### 4. wholesale packaging

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a large box that contains several smaller items for a shop to sell.

For teachers: the smallest unit sold by wholesalers to retailers, typically a single display box containing multiple retail units.

- The shopkeeper ordered an outer of chocolate bars to restock the shelf.
- Inventory management requires tracking both individual units and the number of outers currently held in the warehouse.

### 5. stadium seating

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Dialect

the seats in a stadium that do not have a roof over them.

For teachers: an uncovered section of seating at a sportsground or stadium.

- We sat in the outer because the tickets were much cheaper.
- Despite the threat of rain, the fans in the outer remained vocal throughout the entire cricket match.

## Examples

- You should wear an outer layer to stay dry in the rain.
- The spacecraft's outer shell is designed to withstand extreme heat during its return to the atmosphere.
- While the inner workings of the organization remain a mystery to the public, its outer appearance suggests a commitment to transparency and modern efficiency.

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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.