interior

1 of 2

adjective

in·​te·​ri·​or in-ˈtir-ē-ər 

1

: lying, occurring, or functioning within the limiting boundaries : inner

an interior point of a triangle

2

: belonging to mental or spiritual life

a simple interior piety

3

: belonging to the inner constitution or concealed nature of something

interior meaning of a poem

4

: lying away or remote from the border or shore

interiorly

in-ˈtir-ē-ər-lē 

adverb

interior

2 of 2

noun

1

: the inner or spiritual nature : character

2

: the interior part (as of a country or island)

3

: the internal or inner part of a thing : inside

4

: the internal affairs of a state or nation

5

: a representation (as in a play or movie) of the interior of a building

Synonyms

Adjective

• cerebral
• inner
• intellectual
• internal
• mental
• psychological
• psychologic

Noun

• innards
• inside
• within

Examples of interior in a Sentence

Adjective

a large car with lots of interior room

the novel's characters have plenty of adventures, but their interior lives are never explored

Noun

a black car with gray leather interior

the interior of the house

They traveled deep into the interior of Australia.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Naval architecture and sail plan optimization are by Philippe Briand, with an interior and exterior by PH Design. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 16 Dec. 2024

These neighborhoods are home to many of the roughly 100,000 undocumented migrants who live in Mayotte, according to France’s interior ministry. —Lex Harvey, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

Noun

The wristlet’s interior is also spacious enough to hold cash, loose change, jewelry or other small items. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024

This patio is at the center of the home, providing light to its interior. —Marta Sader, Architectural Digest, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle French & Latin; Middle French interiore, from Latin, comparative of Old Latin *interus inward, on the inside; akin to Latin inter

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing interior

• interior angle
• interior decoration
• interior decorator
• interior design
• interior designer
• interior door
• interior monologue

Kids Definition

interior

1 of 2 adjective

in·​te·​ri·​or in-ˈtir-ē-ər 

1

: existing or occurring within the limits : inner

2

: remote from the border or shore

interiorly adverb

interior

2 of 2 noun

1

: the internal or inner part of something : inside

the interior of a house

2

: the inland part (as of a country or island)

traveled to the interior of Australia

3

: the internal affairs of a state or nation

department of the Interior

Medical Definition

interior

1 of 2 adjective

in·​te·​ri·​or in-ˈtir-ē-ər 

: lying, occurring, or functioning within limiting boundaries

interior

2 of 2 noun

: the internal or inner part or cavity of a thing