Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

outwards

/ˈaʊtwɚdz/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.99 in modern English

Syllables: out-wards
IPA: /ˈaʊtwɚdz/

12

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

From the interior toward the exterior; in an outward direction.

adv

Outwardly; (merely) on the surface.

Obsolete

Example Sentences

"Light falling on them is not reflected outwards."
"Wo be to you scrybes, and pharises ypocrites, for ye are lyke unto paynted tombes which appere beautyfull outwardes: but are within full off deed mens bones and of all fylthynes."

Etymology

From Middle English outwardes, from Old English ūtweardes; equivalent to outward + -s or out + -wards. Cognate with German auswärts.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: outwardes, ūtweardes
Suffix: outward, out

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈaʊtwɚdz/
British English: /ˈaʊtwədz/

Usage

Obsolete

Inflected Forms

more outwards (comparative) most outwards (superlative)

Synonyms

outward

Antonyms

inwards

Questions

How do you pronounce outwards?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈaʊtwɚdz/.
What does outwards mean?: From the interior toward the exterior; in an outward direction.
Where does outwards come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce outwards

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “outwards”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈaʊtwɚdz/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “outwards”.
Repeat and practice — Say “outwards” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.