inward

1 of 3

adjective

in·​ward ˈin-wərd 

1

: situated on the inside : inner

2

a

: of or relating to the mind or spirit

inward peace

b

: absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective

3

: marked by close acquaintance : familiar

4

: directed toward the interior

inward

2 of 3

adverb

in·​ward ˈin-wərd 

variants or inwards

ˈin-wərdz 

1

: toward the inside, center, or interior

2

: toward the inner being

inward

3 of 3

noun

1

: something that is inward

2

inwards ˈin-ərdz  -wərdz  plural : innards

Synonyms

Adjective

• inner
• inside
• interior
• internal

Noun

• entrails
• gut
• innards
• inside(s)
• viscera
• vitals

Examples of inward in a Sentence

Adjective

moved towards the inward room for more privacy

he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet

Adverb

The window faces inward toward the courtyard.

He turned his attention inward.

Noun

the hunter cleaned the deer by slicing open the belly and removing the inwards

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Emerging medical and life science technologies are helping contribute to an inward evolution. —Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

Pointing to the British Screen Forum’s recent report into the UK industry, Elysian Film Group’s Danny Perkins identified the UK’s reliance on inward investment as one of the biggest local challenges. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2024

Adverb

For instance, as the sun in Scorpio ignites your 12th house of intuition, healing and spirituality, your focus turns inward for healing and self-reflection, while Saturn retrograde in your fourth house asks you to tend to matters of home and family. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

The swelling presses on the milk ducts, causing the nipple to turn inward. —Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 2 Nov. 2024

Noun

Sometimes the inward and the outward can make for an interesting blend, converging in a house party feel of sorts. —Angelo Flaccavento, CNN, 17 Jan. 2023

One hundred feet of skid marks scarred the highway, and cracks throughout the vehicle’s windshield, according to an expert from Ford Motor Co., appeared to have been caused by simultaneous inward and outward forces. —Alexis Oatman, cleveland, 13 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English inweard (akin to Old High German inwert), from in + -weard -ward entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Adverb

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

Noun

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

Kids Definition

inward

1 of 2 adjective

in·​ward ˈin-wərd 

1

: situated on the inside : inner

2

: of or relating to the mind or spirit

an inward peace

3

: directed toward the interior

an inward flow

inward

2 of 2 adverb

variants or inwards

ˈin-wərdz 

1

: toward the inside, center, or interior

2

: toward the mind or spirit