Meaning & use
outdoors people
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Meanings
nounpluralinformal
People who enjoy spending time outside and doing activities such as hiking, camping, or fishing.
Grammar: Always plural and usually takes a plural verb; it refers to a group, not one person.
Patterns
- outdoors people do something
- outdoors people love something
Outdoors people usually know how to read a map and a compass.
The store sells gear that outdoors people trust in bad weather.
Outdoors people often plan their weekends around the forecast.
nounpluralinformal
People whose work or daily life keeps them outside most of the time.
Grammar: Plural noun; often used with words like "most" or "many" to talk about a portion of the group.
Patterns
- most outdoors people
- many outdoors people
Farmers and rangers are outdoors people by necessity, not just by choice.
Many outdoors people spend more time in the field than in an office.
Outdoors people often develop a strong sense of direction.
Common combinations
- outdoors people love
- Outdoors people love a trail that is quiet and well marked.
- outdoors people often
- Outdoors people often carry a first-aid kit in their pack.
- most outdoors people
- Most outdoors people prefer early mornings on the water.
- for outdoors people
- This jacket is designed for outdoors people who face heavy rain.
- outdoors people and
- Outdoors people and casual walkers both use the park.
Synonyms and how they differ
- outdoorsy people
- More standard and common; "outdoorsy" is an adjective describing someone who likes outdoor activities.
- nature lovers
- Focuses on affection for nature rather than on doing outdoor sports or activities.
- outdoor enthusiasts
- Slightly more formal and often used in advertising or club names.
Opposites
Word family
- outdoorsy adjective
- Enjoying or suited to outdoor activities.
- outdoors adverb
- Outside a building; in the open air.
- outdoorsman noun
- A man who is skilled at outdoor activities such as hunting or camping.
- outdoorswoman noun
- A woman who is skilled at outdoor activities such as hunting or camping.
Commonly confused: outdoors people or outdoor people? outdoors people or outdoorsy?
outdoors people vs outdoor people
"Outdoor" is an adjective and cannot stand alone as a noun; "outdoor people" is not standard, while "outdoors people" uses the plural noun "outdoors."
outdoors people vs outdoorsy
"Outdoorsy" is an adjective, so you say "outdoorsy people," not "outdoorsy people" as a noun phrase with the same shape as "outdoors people."
Practice
Which sentence uses "outdoors people" correctly?
Choose one answer.
"Outdoors people" is plural, so it takes the base verb "enjoy." Option 0 uses a singular verb, option 2 uses a singular verb with a progressive form, and option 3 uses an impossible verb combination.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “outdoors people”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.