outdoors

1 of 3

adverb

Synonyms of outdoorsnext
: outside a building : in or into the open air
I went outdoors for some fresh air.
a game that is meant to be played outdoors

outdoors

2 of 3

noun

plural in form but singular in construction
1
: a place or location away from the confines of a building
Trees surround the home, blurring the lines between outdoors and indoors.Dawn Hammon
usually used with the
let in fresh air from the outdoors
2
: the natural world : the places outside of areas developed by humans
… those delighting in the wonders of outdoors.Marina Brown
usually used with the
a lover of the outdoors
… skiers in Maine can glory in the pleasures of the great outdoors—the ski areas are surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery in the state.Down East

outdoors

3 of 3

adjective

: outdoor
… stands displaying equipment and clothing covering a wide spectrum of outdoors pursuits.Clive Tully

Examples of outdoors in a Sentence

Adverb The game is meant to be played outdoors. He worked outdoors all afternoon. I went outdoors for some fresh air. Noun our family loves to hike and camp in the great outdoors
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
Dawn and dusk are when mosquitoes are most active, and times to avoid being outdoors. Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 Some have crowded into relatives’ houses; others are sleeping outdoors in tents, waiting to learn whether their homes are safe. Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026
Noun
The outdoors tends to strip things down—ego, distraction, noise. Outside, 10 Mar. 2026 This exercise immerses you in the outdoors and encourages you to appreciate even the smallest patches of green. Jancee Dunn, New York Times, 25 June 2026
Adjective
If your cat or dog is outdoors and unprotected, fleas hitch a ride and come indoors with them. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 June 2026 Objects that are outdoors should be secured and caution should be taken if driving. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for outdoors

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

circa 1729, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1790, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outdoors was circa 1729

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outdoors.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outdoors. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

outdoors

1 of 2 adverb
: outside a building : in or into the open air

outdoors

2 of 2 noun
1
: a place away from or outside a building
2
: the world away from human dwellings

More from Merriam-Webster on outdoors

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!