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

Chalk it up to mental health and an extremely strong inclination towards introversion. —Steven Aquino, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Our symptoms are classics: addictions, low self-esteem, attachment disorder, over/under achievement, introversion and loneliness, to name some. —Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2025

Often, success doesn’t require extroversion or introversion but rather an understanding of how well a specific style fits the stage of the business and its context. —Dr. Eric George, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

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

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

Rhymes for introversion

• extraversion
• extroversion
• reconversion
• retroversion
• animadversion
• bioconversion
• cardioversion
• interconversion
• seroconversion
• aspersion
• aversion
• conversion

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