Word
outwards
Phoneticsout·wards, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈaʊtwɝdz/
UK/ˈaʊtwədz/
Definition
adv. away from the center of something or toward the outside. You use this to describe movement or direction that goes from the middle to the edge.
adv. away from the center or toward the exterior. Often used to describe physical movement or the direction of a force.
Examples
“The river flows outwards from the mountain.”
“The pressure inside the balloon caused the rubber to stretch outwards until it reached its maximum size.”
“The expansion of the universe is characterized by the movement of galaxies outwards from a central point, a phenomenon that continues to accelerate according to modern astrophysical observations.”
Examples
simple
“The river flows outwards from the mountain.”
contextual
“The pressure inside the balloon caused the rubber to stretch outwards until it reached its maximum size.”
complex
“The expansion of the universe is characterized by the movement of galaxies outwards from a central point, a phenomenon that continues to accelerate according to modern astrophysical observations.”
Real-World Examples
“From that one metropolitan oat, the mould spread outwards seeking the others, stretching towards them with its tubules.” “The curtain is radiating the same amount inwards and outwards.” Etymology
From Middle English outwardes, from Old English ūtweardes; equivalent to outward + -s or out + -wards. Cognate with German auswärts.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
PHRASAL VERB
PREPOSITION
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/outwards