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exterior

ehks-teh-RYOReks.teˈɾjoɾ

external, outer

Also: outside
A close-up view of the red wooden exterior wall of a house, emphasizing the surface texture.

📝 In Action

Pintaremos la pared exterior de la casa de azul.

A1

We will paint the exterior wall of the house blue.

Necesitamos revisar el cableado exterior antes de la tormenta.

A2

We need to check the outer wiring before the storm.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • puerta exterior – exterior door

the outside, the exterior

Also: the outside area
NounmA2
A bright green garden located immediately outside a closed blue wooden door, representing the physical area of the outside.

📝 In Action

El exterior del edificio necesita una limpieza urgente.

A2

The exterior of the building urgently needs cleaning.

Esperamos en el exterior hasta que abrieron la tienda.

B1

We waited on the outside until they opened the store.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • afuera (outside (adverb))
  • fuera (outside (adverb/preposition))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • desde el exterior – from the outside

abroad, foreign affairs

Also: overseas
NounmB2formal
A small passenger ship sailing across the open blue ocean, leaving a distant shoreline behind, symbolizing travel to foreign countries.

📝 In Action

El Ministro del Exterior viajará a Asia la próxima semana.

B2

The Foreign Minister will travel to Asia next week.

Ella prefiere comprar productos hechos en el exterior.

B2

She prefers to buy products made abroad (in foreign countries).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • extranjero (foreign country/person)
  • ultramar (overseas)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • Ministerio del Exterior – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • comercio exterior – foreign trade

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: exterior

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'exterior' as a noun meaning 'abroad'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word 'exterior,' which meant 'outer' or 'more outside.' It is a comparative form of the Latin word 'exter' (outside).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: exteriorFrench: extérieur

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'exterior' and 'afuera'?

'Exterior' is usually a noun (el exterior = the outside surface/area) or an adjective (la pared exterior = the outside wall). 'Afuera' is an adverb used to describe where an action happens or where something is located (Estamos afuera = We are outside).

Does 'exterior' change form for plural nouns?

Yes, as an adjective, it adds '-es' to become plural: 'los muros exteriores' (the exterior walls) and 'las puertas exteriores' (the exterior doors).