introversion

noun

in·​tro·​ver·​sion ˌin-trə-ˈvər-zhən 

-shən

1

: the act of introverting : the state of being turned inward or upon oneself or itself

introversion of an eyelash

… the introversion of the German policy-makers after World War II, seeking less of world limelight.

—Ronald Kayanja

2

psychology : the state of or tendency toward being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from one's own mental life : a personality trait or style characterized by a preference for or orientation to one's own thoughts and feelings

Note: The psychologist Carl Gustav Jung first introduced the terms introversion, introvert, extroversion, and extrovert in the early 1900s to describe personality types that focus a person's energy on either the inner or outer world.

As a corporate trainer I'd always received high performance ratings. … Introversion had made me a good listener which put people at ease.

—Linda Harding-Bond

For all the things shyness is, there are a number of things it's not. For one, it's not simple introversion. If you stay home on a Friday night just because you prefer a good book to a loud party, you're not necessarily shy …

—Jeffrey Kluger

compare extroversion

introversive

ˌin-trə-ˈvər-siv 

-ziv

adjective

introversively adverb

Examples of introversion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s offset by an introversion, a self-reflection that feels older, wiser, and maybe a little more anxious. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024

The most successful leaders are those who can adapt their style to the needs of the moment, blending the quiet power of introversion with the dynamism of extroversion. —Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024

This cultural shift can be challenging at first, especially in a profession where introversion is common and many lawyers have never received coaching or management training. —Austin Irabor, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024

Katharine Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers, a mother-daughter duo, spent much of the 20th century developing their system’s dichotomies: introversion and extraversion, feeling and thinking, intuition and sensing, judging and perceiving. —Chelsea Leu, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin intrōversiōn-, intrōversiō "a turning inward," from intrōvertere "to turn inward" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action; (sense 2) after German Introversion — more at introvert entry 2

Note: Regarding the use of Introversion by Carl jung in psychology see note at extroversion.

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

introversion

noun

in·​tro·​ver·​sion ˌin-trə-ˈvər-zhən, -shən 

1

: the state of being turned inward or upon itself

introversion of an eyelash

2

: the state of or tendency toward being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from one's own mental life : a personality trait or style characterized by a preference for or orientation to one's own thoughts and feelings

Note: The psychologist C. G. Jung first introduced the terms introversion, introvert, extroversion, and extrovert in the early 1900s to describe personality types that focus a person's energy on either the inner or outer world.

compare extroversion

introversive

-ˈvər-siv, -ziv 

adjective

introversively adverb