external

Academic Word List, sublist 5.

About 56.15 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. adjective Outside of something; on the exterior.

   This building has some external pipework.

2. adjective Situated near or toward the surface of the body.
3. adjective Relating to or denoting a medicine or similar substance for use on the outside of the body.
4. adjective Capable of being perceived outwardly. Having merely the outward appearance of something.
5. adjective Having merely the outward appearance of something.
6. adjective Not intrinsic or essential.
7. adjective Provided by something or someone outside of the entity (object, group, company etc.) considered.

   external authority, external force

8. adjective Relating to or connected with foreign nations or institutions.

   external trade or commerce; the external relations of a state or kingdom

Similar words

exogenous international outside outer outward extrinsic extraneous foreign internal membranes

Often followed by

world to and affairs forces environment factors objects debt relations

Word family

externalisation externalise externalised externalises externalising externality externalization externalize externalized externalizes