inner

adjective

in·​ner ˈi-nər 

1

a

: situated farther in

the inner bark

b

: being near a center especially of influence

the inner circles of political power

2

a

: of or relating to the mind or spirit

the inner life

b

: existing as an often repressed part of one's psychological makeup

inner child

inner artist

inner noun

innerly adverb

Synonyms

• inside
• interior
• internal
• inward

Examples of inner in a Sentence

She led the guests to an inner room.

the inner face of the arch

the inner lining of the jacket

listening to her inner voice

Recent Examples on the Web

Even as a child, Lila possessed a strange, quasi-supernatural inner force that emerged in moments of rebuke or fear. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024

Ask Questions To Build Inner Intelligence Honing skills that breed inner intelligence is key in today’s world, regardless of where you or your teams are located. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Instead, some pundits finger Neptune’s inner heat as the power source. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024

And of course there are the all-important inner and outer suburbs, where there are many college plus Republican women. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English innera, comparative of inne within

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing inner

• inner circle
• inner city
• inner conflicts
• inner-directed
• inner ear
• inner light
• inner planet
• inner product
• inner sanctum
• inner space
• inner tube
• inner workings
• one's inner self

Kids Definition

inner

adjective

in·​ner ˈin-ər 

1

a

: situated farther in

inner room

b

: being near a center especially of influence

an inner circle of advisors

2

: of or relating to the mind or spirit

inner peace

innerly adverb