outer self
What others see
The outer self is the version of a person visible to others—their appearance, behavior, and social presentation.
It contrasts with the inner self, which encompasses private thoughts, feelings, and identity.
The distinction implies a gap between who someone truly is and who they appear to be: His confident outer self masked deep insecurity.
- personaAssumed public identity
- social maskPerformed identity for others
- maskFace-worn concealment
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- false frontMisleading outward appearance
appearance · image · surface · presentation · first impression · ego · shell · exterior · public · personal brand · impression · demeanor · behavior · body language · social · identity · projection · clothing
- identitiesalter ego, gender, persona, sexuality, alias
- self-conceptselfhood, personal identity, identity formation, persona, individuality
- inner experienceinner life, mind's eye, inner world, awareness, intuition
- parts of selfego, id, superego, psyche, soul
psychological interiority vs. exteriority
outer selfinner self
Private essential identity
inner being · inner life · private self · soul · inner world
outer, self, out, outs, outing, outward, outwardly, outwards, outermost