external Synonyms & Antonyms
Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.
External as an Adjective
Outside of something; on the exterior.
This building has some external pipework.
Situated near or toward the surface of the body.
Relating to or denoting a medicine or similar substance for use on the outside of the body.
Capable of being perceived outwardly. Having merely the outward appearance of something.
Having merely the outward appearance of something.
Not intrinsic or essential.
Provided by something or someone outside of the entity (object, group, company etc.) considered.
external authority, external force
Relating to or connected with foreign nations or institutions.
external trade or commerce; the external relations of a state or kingdom
Having existence independent of the mind.
external reality
For concerning students registered with and taking the examinations of a university but not resident there.
external degrees
Not contained in the main computer.
Using a disk or tape drive rather than the main memory.
Not intrinsic nor essential; accidental; accompanying; superficial.
Antonyms & near antonyms
Foreign; relating to or connected with foreign nations.
external trade or commerce; the external relations of a state or kingdom
Antonyms & near antonyms
External as a Noun
The exterior; outward features or appearances. Inessential or superficial features. Outward appearance.
Inessential or superficial features.
Outward appearance.
A variable that is defined in the source code but whose value comes from some external source.
(chiefly in the plural) The exterior; outward features or appearances.
In the C programming language, a variable that is defined in the source code but whose value comes from some external source.
External in a Sentence
This building has some external pipework.
external authority, external force
external trade or commerce; the external relations of a state or kingdom
external reality
external degrees
Word Forms & Grammar
external (comparative more external, superlative most external)
external (plural externals)
Words That Rhyme With External
Origin of External
From Late Middle English, from Medieval Latin externus (“outward, external”), from exter/exterus (“on the outside, outward”).
External in Brief
| Part of speech | adjective, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ɪkˈstɜː.nəl// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Meaning | Outside of something; on the exterior |
| Antonyms | internal |
| Plural | externals |
| Comparative / superlative | more external, most external |
How to Pronounce External
The standard pronunciation of external is //ɪkˈstɜː.nəl//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Common Questions About External
Is external an adjective or a noun?
External is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is the opposite of external?
The opposite of external is internal.
What is the plural of external?
The plural of external is externals.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of external?
The comparative form is more external and the superlative form is most external.