ex‧ter‧nal W2 AC / ɪkstɜnl $ -ɜr- / 形容词

1 outside part relating to the outside of something or of a person’s body 反义词 internal :

the external appearance of the building

For external use only (= written on medicines which must be put on your skin and not swallowed )

Register

In everyday English, people usually say outside rather than external :

The outside walls of the building were painted yellow.

2 effect relating to your environment or situation, rather than to your own qualities, ideas etc 同义词 outside :

Low birth weight may be caused by external factors , such as smoking during pregnancy.

influences from the external environment

3 organization coming from or happening outside a particular place or organization 反义词 internal :

information from external sources

4 foreign relating to foreign countries 反义词 internal :

China will not tolerate any external interference in its affairs.

external affairs/relations

the Minister of External Affairs

5 independent British English coming from outside a particular school, university, or organization, and therefore independent 反义词 internal

external examination/examiner

external auditors (= someone from outside who looks at an organization’s finances )

— externally 副词 :

The job should be advertised internally and externally.