- connected with or located on the outside of something/somebody
- the external walls of the building
- The lotion is for external use only (= only for the skin and must not be eaten).
- happening or coming from outside a place, an organization, your particular situation, etc.
- A combination of internal and external factors caused the company to close down.
- external pressures on the economy
- our perception of the external world
- Many external influences can affect your state of mind.
- external to somebody/something The information has come from reliable sources external to the government.
- coming from or arranged by somebody from outside a school, a university or an organization
- (British English) external examiners/assessors
- An external auditor will verify the accounts.
- connected with foreign countries
- The government is committed to reducing the country's external debt.
- the Minister of State for External Affairs
- The country was promised military aid in the case of external threat.
opposite internal
Word Originlate Middle English: from medieval Latin, from Latin exter ‘outer’.
Check pronunciation:
external