outward-facing
|out-ward-face-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˌaʊtˈwɝdˌfeɪsɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˌaʊtˈwɔːdˌfeɪsɪŋ/
directed toward the outside
Etymology
'outward-facing' is a compound of the adjective 'outward' and the present participle 'facing'. 'outward' comes from Old English 'ūtweard' (ūt 'out' + -weard 'ward, directed toward'), while 'face' derives from Old French 'face' from Latin 'facies' meaning 'appearance' or 'face'.
'outward' developed from Old English 'ūtweard' and Middle English forms into modern 'outward'; 'face' passed from Latin 'facies' into Old French 'face' and Middle English 'face'; the modern compound 'outward-facing' formed by combining these elements to describe orientation toward the outside.
Initially, components referred simply to 'out' + 'directed toward' (physical orientation) and 'face' as a surface; over time the compound preserved the physical sense and extended metaphorically to mean 'oriented toward external people or markets' (organizational/public focus).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
physically oriented so that the front or surface faces the outside or exterior.
The building has outward-facing windows to catch more sunlight.
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Adjective 2
oriented toward external people, markets, or the public rather than inward concerns; focused on outside stakeholders (figurative/organizational use).
The company adopted an outward-facing strategy to improve customer engagement.
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Last updated: 2025/10/21 05:28