Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Outside a building; in the open air: The phrase "out of doors" describes being in an external, open-air environment, not inside any structure.

Usage

• "Out of doors" is used to indicate that an activity or state occurs in the open air, outside of any building or enclosed space. It is synonymous with "outdoors" or "outside."
• It is a slightly formal or traditional phrase. In modern, everyday speech, "outside" or "outdoors" is more common.

Examples

• Adverb:
  • The children love to play out of doors. (The children love to play in the open air.)
  • We decided to eat our lunch out of doors. (We decided to eat our lunch outside the building.)
  • It's healthier to spend time out of doors. (It's healthier to spend time in the open air.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be out of doors": to be outside.
  • If you want to find him, he's usually out of doors. (If you want to find him, he's usually outside.)
• The phrase can sometimes function as a noun phrase (e.g., "the beauty of the out of doors"), though this is less common.

Variants and Related Words

• Outdoors (adv/n): The more common modern equivalent. As an adverb, it means "in or into the open air." As a noun, it refers to the world outside buildings.
  • We camped outdoors. (adv)
  • She loves the great outdoors. (n)
• Outside (adv/prep/n): The most common and versatile term. It can function as an adverb, preposition, or noun.
  • Let's go outside. (adv)
  • He waited outside the house. (prep)
  • The outside of the building is painted white. (n)
• Al fresco (adv/adj): An Italian loan phrase meaning "in the open air," often used in the context of dining.
  • We had an al fresco dinner. (We had a dinner outside.)

Synonyms

• Outside: In or to an external place.
• Outdoors: In or into the open air.
• In the open air: Exposed to the atmosphere; not under a roof.

Antonyms

• Indoors: Inside a building.
• Inside: Within a building or container.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• The great outdoors: A phrase used to refer to the natural world outside of cities and towns, often for recreational activities like hiking or camping.
  • They went to the mountains to enjoy the great outdoors.

Adverb

1. outside a building
   • in summer we play outside