2 syllables: out, doors. Stress on out.
OWT-dawrz
/ˈaʊt.dɔɹz/
outdoors is pronounced OWT-dawrz (/ˈaʊt.dɔɹz/). It has two syllables (out-doors), with the stress on "out". Outdoors refers to the external environment beyond indoor spaces, or to activities taking place outside. It connotes natural settings, open-air spaces, and exposure to sunlight and weather. In everyday use, it can describe locations or activities like hiking, camping, or simply enjoying nature, often implying a contrast with indoors or urban areas.
Outdoors refers to the external environment beyond indoor spaces, or to activities taking place outside. It connotes natural settings, open-air spaces, and exposure to sunlight and weather. In everyday use, it can describe locations or activities like hiking, camping, or simply enjoying nature, often implying a contrast with indoors or urban areas.
"We went outdoors to enjoy the sunshine after lunch."
"The campsite is perfect for outdoor adventures."
"She loves reading outdoors on warm spring afternoons."
Outdoors is pronounced as /ˈaʊtˌdɔrz/ in US English, /ˈaʊtˌdɔːz/ in UK English, and /ˈaʊtˌdɔːz/ in Australian English. Stress falls on the first syllable (OUT) with secondary stress on the second (dors), and the final z is voiced. Begin with the diphthong /aʊ/ as in 'out', move to a clear /d/ and a long /ɔː/ or /ɔːɹ/ depending on accent, then end with /z/. You’ll want a light but audible /t/ release before the /d/ to keep the flow natural.
Common mistakes include reducing the /aʊ/ diphthong to a short /ɒ/ or /ɔ/ (sounding more like 'out-dors'), and slurring the /t/ into the following /d/ so it sounds like /aʊtˈdɔːz/ without the brief /d/ release. Another frequent error is voicing the final /s/ too softly, making it sound like /-dɔː/ or /-dɔɹ/. To correct: clearly produce /aʊ/ as a tight diphthong, insert a crisp /t/ release, keep the /d/ plosive clear, and voice the final /z/ distinctly.
In US English, /ˈaʊtˌdɔrz/ with a rhotic /ɹ/ in some speakers and a slightly shorter /ɔr/ sequence is common. In British English, /ˈaʊtˌdɔːz/ features a longer monophthong /ɔː/ and less rhoticity, with the final /z/ clearly voiced. Australian English typically mirrors UK vowels but can show a slightly broader /ɔː/ and a more articulated final /z/, sometimes with slight vowel reduction in fast speech. Across all, the stress remains on OUT, with a light, quick /t/ release before /d/.
The challenge lies in the two-syllable structure with distinct nucleus vowels and the /t/ + /d/ cluster, which requires precise timing and placemement. The /aʊ/ diphthong in the first syllable can be misarticulated as a pure /a/ or /ʌ/, and the /ɔ/ vowel in the second syllable can shift toward /ɒ/ or /ɜː/ depending on accent. Maintaining a clear /t/ release before /d/ and voicing the final /z/ without devoicing are common points of difficulty.
A distinctive feature is the subtle glide between the /t/ and /d/ in many speakers, which can cause a brief pause or a quicker transition depending on pace. The second syllable /dɔːr/ in rhotic accents may show a postvocalic /r/ that influences vowel quality before the final /z/. Paying attention to the mouth position for /d/ and the length of /ɔː/ can help you achieve closer alignment with native speakers.
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US: final /r/ influence can soften the /ɔː/ to /ɔɹ/ in some speakers; keep rhoticity light and avoid coloring the /ɔː/ too front. UK: more clipped /t/ release and longer /ɔː/ with less rhotic influence; aim for /ˈaʊtˌdɔːz/. AU: tends toward broad /ɔː/ and clear /z/; keep the diphthong /aʊ/ intact and allow the second syllable to be slightly slower so the /d/ is audible. IPA anchors: US /ˈaʊtˌdɔrz/, UK /ˈaʊtˌdɔːz/, AU /ˈaʊtˌdɔːz/.
Outdoors derives from outdoor (n.) + -s to indicate plural usage or general sense of the open-air environment. The word outdoor itself comes from Middle English under the influence of Old English ut, meaning "out" or "outside" and dur, a cognate with fronted Germanic terms indicating space or enclosure. The prefix out- signals exposure to the exterior, while -door or outdoor historically referred to space outside of walls, not bound by indoor constraints. By the 16th century, outdoor began to evolve from referring to a specific exterior space to a more generalized noun/adjective describing activities and environments outside buildings. By the 19th century, outdoors as a plural noun/adverbial noun phrase gained traction in common usage, emphasizing the collective idea of being in the open air rather than a singular outdoor location. Its meaning broadened with tourism, recreation, and the cultural emphasis on nature, and modern usage treats outdoors as a broad, contextual space synonymous with nature, daylight, and fresh air. The first known uses appear in English travel and literature as early as the 1500s, with a shift toward general usage by the 1800s that mirrors the increasing cultural value placed on outdoor recreation and natural environments.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "outdoors" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "outdoors" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "outdoors"
-urs sounds
-ers sounds
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