» external

Words people most associate with “external”:

  1. internal,
  2. outside,
  3. skin,
  4. outer,
  5. affair

[via wordassociation.org]

Noun (1 meaning)

1. outward features.

external

Example:
  • “he enjoyed the solemn externals of religion”
external is a type of:

Adjective (4 meanings)

1. happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface.

external

Examples:
  • “the external auditory canal”,
  • “external pressures”
external is the opposite of:
  • internal (adjective) - happening or arising or located within some limits or especially surface
external is an attribute of:
Derivationally related form:
  • outwardness, externality (noun) - the quality or state of being outside or directed toward or relating to the outside or exterior
see also:
  • outside (adjective) - relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
external is similar to:
  • outer (adjective) - being on or toward the outside of the body
  • outside (adjective) - originating or belonging beyond some bounds:"the outside world"

2. coming from the outside.

external, extraneous, outside

Examples:
  • “extraneous light in the camera spoiled the photograph”,
  • “relying upon an extraneous income”,
  • “disdaining outside pressure groups”
Derivationally related form:
  • extraneousness (noun) - unrelatedness by virtue of falling outside the matter at hand
  • outwardness, externality (noun) - the quality or state of being outside or directed toward or relating to the outside or exterior
external is similar to:
  • extrinsic (adjective) - not forming an essential part of a thing or arising or originating from the outside

3. from or between other countries.

external, international, outside

Examples:
  • “external commerce”,
  • “international trade”,
  • “developing nations need outside help”
Derivationally related form:
external is similar to:
  • foreign (adjective) - of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

4. purely outward or superficial; "external composure"; "an external concern for reputation"- A.R.Gurney,Jr..

external

external is similar to:
  • outward (adjective) - relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind