on the outside
idiom
1
: on the outer side, edge, or surface of something
The number 22 car tried to pass the leader on the outside (of the track).
2
baseball
: on the side of home plate farthest from the batter
The next pitch was a fastball on the outside.
3
—used to describe someone's appearance
I might seem calm on the outside, but I'm actually really nervous.
4
: not in prison
He looked forward to life on the outside again.
Examples of on the outside in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lehtinen, who played 875 games but was not the level of offensive threat as Barkov, is the only one on the outside looking in.
—
Peter Baugh, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Elam, who was acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Bills in March, has had two interceptions in training camp and has provided reliable coverage on the outside against the Cowboys’ array of offensive weapons.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2025
Once grilled, the chicken becomes aromatic, appealingly charred on the outside and tender on the inside.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2025
Even if your piercing looks or feels completely healed on the outside, continuing to taking proper care of it for as long as your piercer recommends is key to keeping skin infections at bay.
—Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the outside
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.
Peter Baugh, New York Times, 31 July 2025
Elam, who was acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Bills in March, has had two interceptions in training camp and has provided reliable coverage on the outside against the Cowboys’ array of offensive weapons.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2025
Once grilled, the chicken becomes aromatic, appealingly charred on the outside and tender on the inside.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2025
Even if your piercing looks or feels completely healed on the outside, continuing to taking proper care of it for as long as your piercer recommends is key to keeping skin infections at bay.
—Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the outside
Cite this Entry
“On the outside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20outside. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share