externally
/ɪkˈstɜːnəli/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪkˈstɜːrnəli/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˈ)ek¦stərnᵊlē ikˈs-, -tə̄n-, -təin-, -ᵊli/ (ame, mw)
externally — adverb
1. describing something done on the outer surface of an object, or involving people
describing something done on the outer surface of an object, or involving people, money, or decisions coming from beyond a group, organization, or particular situation.
The ointment should be applied externally only, never swallowed or put inside the mouth.
medical instruction: 'apply X externally'
Élise's old apartment building looks tired externally, but the rooms inside have been fully repaired.
contrast pattern: 'looks X externally, but inside …'
The hospital recruited its new finance director externally instead of promoting someone from within.
All exam papers at Hao's school are graded externally by teachers from other regions.
Ishaan stays calm externally during meetings, even when he is very nervous on the inside.
- outwardly
stronger pull toward the visible-appearance reading; less common for physical surfaces
- outside
much more everyday; can also be a noun or preposition, so the part of speech is less clear in context
- from outside
phrase form that fits the organizational reading specifically (hired from outside)
- internally
the direct opposite for both the physical and organizational readings
- inwardly
opposite of the appearance-vs-feeling reading (inwardly nervous)
用法筆記
Covers two related uses without splitting senses: the physical 'on the outer surface' reading (often with verbs like apply, mount, attach) and the figurative 'from outside a group or organization' reading (often passive with verbs like recruit, fund, audit, assess). Context, not a different definition, tells the reader which is meant.