Outwardly: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word originates from the combination of 'outward', meaning 'toward the outside', and the suffix '-ly', which indicates manner.
• It was first used in English in the 14th century, gaining popularity as a way to describe external appearances and behaviors.

Literature

• Characters often exhibit outwardly happy behavior to mask their true feelings, a common theme in many classic novels.
• Authors like Shakespeare explored the contrast between outward appearances and inner truths, as seen in phrases like 'All that glitters is not gold'.

Psychology

• In psychology, people who present themselves outwardly as confident may actually struggle with insecurities internally.
• Cognitive dissonance occurs when there's a mismatch between outwardly expressed emotions and inner feelings, creating a sense of discomfort.

Pop Culture

• In movies, heroes often appear outwardly strong but face significant internal challenges that develop their character arcs.
• Social media can create a culture of outwardly perfect lives while concealing struggles and imperfections behind the scenes.

Ranked #12,396, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

• ...
• 12393 spiritually
• 12394 antimony
• 12395 endanger
• 12396 outwardly
• 12397 peeled
• 12398 terrifying
• 12399 saliva
• ...