exterior
/ɪkˈstɪə.ri.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪkˈstɪr.i.ɚ/ (ame, ipa) · /ek-ˈstir-ē-ər/ (ame, mw) · /ɪkˈstɪəriə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪkˈstɪriər/ (ame, ipa)
exterior — 形容詞
- exteriorpositive
- more exteriorcomparative
- most exteriorsuperlative
1. relating to the visible outer side of something. As an adjective it describes su
外部的
物體外側表面的
relating to the visible outer side of something. As an adjective it describes surfaces, parts, or coatings that face outward or are meant for use on the outside face of structures and objects.
The exterior walls of the temple were covered in detailed carvings.
寺廟的外牆上布滿了精緻的雕刻。
collocation: exterior walls / exterior surface
Camila chose a dark grey paint for the exterior surface of the garage.
Camila 為車庫的外牆選了深灰色油漆。
The building's exterior lights turn on automatically when it gets dark.
大樓的外部照明燈在天黑時會自動亮起。
Ife inspected the exterior panels of the aircraft before takeoff.
Ife 在起飛前檢查了飛機的外部面板。
- outside
more general and neutral; used for any position not inside, while 'exterior' often implies a constructed or designed outer layer.
- outer
focuses on being farther from the centre; 'outer layer' can describe non-physical structures (e.g. outer circle), while 'exterior' is mostly physical.
- external
slightly more formal; often describes abstract systems (external factors) as well as physical surfaces.
文法句型
exterior + noun (wall / surface / paint / door / light)
常見錯誤
exterior — 名詞
- exteriorsingular
- exteriorsplural
1. the visible outer part of an object, building, or vehicle — the area that faces
外觀；外側
物體外露的表面部分
the visible outer part of an object, building, or vehicle — the area that faces away from the centre and can be seen or touched from the outside.
The exterior of Reema's house was painted a warm shade of yellow.
Reema 家的外牆漆成了溫暖的黃色。
the exterior of [building]
Reuben wiped the exterior of his laptop with a soft cloth.
Reuben 用軟布擦拭了筆記型電腦的外殼。
the exterior of [object / device]
From the exterior, the shop looked tiny, but inside it was surprisingly large.
從外面看，這家店很小，但裡面卻出奇地寬敞。
Emily admired the sleek black exterior of the new electric train.
Emily 很欣賞那輛新電聯車流線型的黑色外觀。
- outside
everyday word for the outer part of anything; less formal than 'exterior' and common for containers, rooms, and boxes.
- surface
emphasises the outermost layer itself rather than the whole outer side; often used with textures and finishes.
- shell
a hard outer covering that protects what is inside; implies hollowness and is more concrete.
文法句型
the exterior of + noun
from the exterior
on the exterior
用法筆記
This sense typically uses the definite article ("the exterior"). A possessive determiner ("its exterior", "the car's exterior") is also common. When used with 'of', the pattern is '[determiner] exterior of [noun]'.
常見錯誤
2. a person's outward manner or the image they present to others, often masking wha
外表；表象
與內心感受不同的外在樣貌
a person's outward manner or the image they present to others, often masking what they truly feel or who they genuinely are beneath a visible surface.
Behind his calm exterior, Mark was extremely nervous about the job interview.
Mark 平靜的外表之下，他對工作面試緊張萬分。
behind + [adjective] + exterior — contrasting inner and outer state
Iris's tough exterior hid a very generous and caring nature.
Iris 強悍的外表下，隱藏著一顆非常慷慨又體貼的心。
[adjective] + exterior — common collocations for personality
The company kept a professional exterior even while facing serious financial trouble.
即使面臨嚴重的財務困難，這家公司仍保持專業的形象。
Stefan's cheerful exterior made it hard for others to guess how lonely he felt.
Stefan 開朗的外表，讓旁人很難猜到他內心有多孤單。
- appearance
broader and more neutral; can describe how anyone seems without implying a contrast with reality.
- facade
stronger in suggesting that the outer show is deliberately misleading or false; closer to 'a mask.'
- image
often implies a public impression that a person or organisation works to maintain.
- true self
the real character or feelings that exist beneath the exterior.
- inner self
the private, genuine side of a person, as opposed to the public exterior.
文法句型
[adjective] + exterior
behind / beneath + [possessive] + exterior
用法筆記
This sense almost always appears with a descriptive adjective before it ("calm exterior", "tough exterior", "professional exterior") and often co-occurs with prepositions like 'behind', 'beneath', or 'under' to contrast hidden feelings with the visible surface.