adverb / noun

outdoors

Outside buildings, or the open air and natural surroundings.

We eat lunch outdoors whenever the weather is warm.

Etymology

The word compresses the expression out of doors. It identifies the open air beyond buildings and, as a noun, the natural world experienced there.

More examples

  • The kids play outdoors after school.
  • She loves the outdoors and hikes every weekend.
  • Let the paint dry outdoors.

Forms

outdoor adjective — Located or taking place outside buildings.

Similar words

outside
Emphasizes being beyond a building rather than in natural surroundings.
alfresco
Usually describes eating or dining in the open air.