B2 verb Neutral

external

/ɪkˈstɜːrnl/

Refers to something that is situated on or coming from the outside of a structure, body, or organization. It describes influences, forces, or surfaces that exist independently of the internal system being discussed.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The external walls of the building are covered in ivy.

The outer surfaces of the building have ivy growing on them.

2

The company has appointed an external auditor to review its financial records.

The business hired an outside specialist to check their accounts.

3

You shouldn't care so much about external appearances.

You should not worry about how things look on the outside.

Word Family

Noun
externality
Verb
externalize
Adverb
externally
Adjective
external
Related
exterior
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Memory Tip

The prefix 'Ex-' means 'out' (like 'Exit'). Therefore, 'external' things are always on the 'out-side'.

Quick Quiz

The physician prescribed a cream that is intended for _______ use only.

Correct!

The correct answer is: external

Examples

1

The external walls of the building are covered in ivy.

everyday

The outer surfaces of the building have ivy growing on them.

2

The company has appointed an external auditor to review its financial records.

formal

The business hired an outside specialist to check their accounts.

3

You shouldn't care so much about external appearances.

informal

You should not worry about how things look on the outside.

4

The research focuses on how external stimuli influence cellular behavior.

academic

The study looks at how outside signals affect the way cells act.

5

External market factors led to a decrease in the company's quarterly profits.

business

Factors from the outside market caused the business to make less money.

Word Family

Noun
externality
Verb
externalize
Adverb
externally
Adjective
external
Related
exterior

Common Collocations

external factors influences from the outside environment
external hard drive a portable device for storing computer data
external pressure stress or demands coming from outside sources
external audit a formal examination of records by an outside party
external use only meant to be applied to the skin and not swallowed

Common Phrases

external sources

information or resources gathered from the outside

external validity

the extent to which research results apply to the real world

external link

a hyperlink that leads to a different website

Often Confused With

external vs exterior

Exterior usually refers to the physical outer surface of an object, while external is more general and includes abstract concepts like 'external influences'.

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Usage Notes

Use 'external' when discussing things that originate from outside a system, such as 'external forces' in physics or 'external consultants' in business. It is most frequently used as an adjective before a noun.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'exterior' for abstract things; for example, they might say 'exterior factors' instead of the more standard 'external factors'.

💡

Memory Tip

The prefix 'Ex-' means 'out' (like 'Exit'). Therefore, 'external' things are always on the 'out-side'.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'externus', which comes from 'ex' meaning 'out'.

Grammar Patterns

Usually used as an attributive adjective (before a noun). Can follow a linking verb like 'is' or 'seems'. Does not typically have comparative or superlative forms (e.g., more external).

Quick Quiz

The physician prescribed a cream that is intended for _______ use only.

Correct!

The correct answer is: external

Related Phrases

Related Words

exarchness

C1

The state or quality of being an exarch, specifically referring to the authoritative status or regional jurisdiction of a deputy ruler or high-ranking ecclesiastical official. It describes the inherent power and dignity associated with governing a province or diocese on behalf of a higher sovereign.

perihumer

C1

A technical term referring to the anatomical region or specific tissue structures immediately surrounding the humerus bone in the upper arm. It is primarily used in orthopedic medicine and physical therapy to describe areas of concern during surgery, injury assessment, or prosthetic fitting.

microfluship

C1

A precise, automated release of a minimal amount of fluid or data used to clear a micro-system or reset high-sensitivity sensors. It is typically employed in microfluidic engineering and advanced computing to prevent sediment buildup or signal noise.

antiponness

C1

The quality or state of being opposed to or averse to hard labor, toil, or physical exertion. It describes a deep-seated resistance to performing arduous tasks, often found in philosophical or psychological discussions about the nature of work.

forenumerary

C1

Describes something that pertains to an initial or preliminary counting or listing that occurs before the main enumeration. It is typically used in administrative, historical, or technical contexts to refer to items or individuals recorded ahead of a final official tally.

detangite

C1

To separate components, strands, or ideas that have become intricately intertwined or knotted. It is most frequently used in formal or technical contexts to describe the process of unravelling a complex situation, data set, or physical structure.

unitangine

C1

Describing a process or system that operates through a single point of contact or a singular, unbranching focus. It is often used in technical or analytical contexts to denote a direct and isolated interaction between two entities.

enjectment

C1

Ejectment is a legal action or remedy brought by a person who claims title to real property to recover possession of that property. It is primarily used to remove a tenant or squatter who is wrongfully occupying the land and to settle disputes regarding the rightful owner's title.

invertite

C1

Describing something that has been reversed in position, order, or nature, or turned upside down. It is a highly specialized or archaic term used primarily in technical, historical, or biological contexts to denote a state of inversion.

malteghood

C1

Describing a state marked by deep-seated communal loyalty and historical resilience. It refers to qualities or behaviors that prioritize the preservation of a group's collective identity and shared fortitude above individual interests.

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