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

And yet there has always been an inward dimension to Iyer’s work. —Anderson Tepper, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025

Labour Together said the government should establish clear targets for inward migration based on an analysis of Britain’s economic needs and labor supply, which should prioritize economic migration that makes a positive fiscal contribution over the long term. —Robert Olsen, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

Adverb

The poignant track finds Ye looking inward and reflecting on a deteriorating relationship, with some aspects appearing to align with his divorce from Kim Kardashian. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 9 Jan. 2025

Large, continent-sized countries such as the United States tend to look inward more than outward. —Bilahari Kausikan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025

Noun

The Relationship Rules Simply providing typical leadership development is insufficient to shift from an inward to an outward perspective. —Liz Kislik, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025

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

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