Outwardly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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.

Main points about word origin

• 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.

The adverb 'outwardly' is derived from the Middle English word 'outward,' which comes from the Old English word 'ūtweard,' meaning 'toward the outside.' It has been used in English language since the 14th century.

See also: out, outback, outer, outing, outlet, outside, outward, outwards.

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

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