external
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 5The external walls of the building are covered in ivy.
The outer surfaces of the building have ivy growing on them.
The company has appointed an external auditor to review its financial records.
The business hired an outside specialist to check their accounts.
You shouldn't care so much about external appearances.
You should not worry about how things look on the outside.
Word Family
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
The external walls of the building are covered in ivy.
everydayThe outer surfaces of the building have ivy growing on them.
The company has appointed an external auditor to review its financial records.
formalThe business hired an outside specialist to check their accounts.
You shouldn't care so much about external appearances.
informalYou should not worry about how things look on the outside.
The research focuses on how external stimuli influence cellular behavior.
academicThe study looks at how outside signals affect the way cells act.
External market factors led to a decrease in the company's quarterly profits.
businessFactors from the outside market caused the business to make less money.
Word Family
Common Collocations
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
Exterior usually refers to the physical outer surface of an object, while external is more general and includes abstract concepts like 'external influences'.
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
Quick Quiz
The physician prescribed a cream that is intended for _______ use only.
Correct!
The correct answer is: external
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
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