Dictionary

inward en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• (California) audio
• /ˈɪnwəd/ (Australia)
• /ˈɪnwɚd/ (Canada, General-American)
• /ˈɪnwəd/ (UK)

Etymology

From Middle English inward, from Old English inweard, corresponding to in + -ward.

Meanings

1. Situated on the inside; that is within, inner; belonging to the inside.
2. Not superficially obvious, inner, not expressed, especially relating to mental or spiritual faculties as opposed to external ones.
   • Noble and milde this Perſean ſeemes to be, If outward habit Iudge the inward man. c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii:
3. Moving or tending toward the inside.
4. (archaic, of a voice) Not directed toward the outside world, and thus quiet or indistinct.
5. (obsolete) Internal to a particular place or country; not foreign, domestic.
6. (obsolete) Secret, private, kept hidden.
7. (obsolete) Coming from one’s inmost or sincerest feelings; heartfelt, earnest.
8. (obsolete) Intimate, closely acquainted; familiar, close.
   • There is nothing can be added unto the daintinesse of Fulvius wives death, who was so inward with Augustus. 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 3, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
   • He had had occasion, by one very inward with him, to know in part the discourse of his life. a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC:
   • All my inward friends abhorred me. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Job 19:19:
9. (obsolete) Devoted to spiritual matters, pious, devout.
10. (obsolete, of animals) Tame.
11. (obsolete, of medicines) Internal; applied through the stomach by being swallowed.

Forms

Deriveds

inwardly · inwardmost · inwards · direct inward dialing · inward-looking · inward light · inwardness

Synonyms

secreted · secluded · heavenly-minded · hidden · devoutful · faint · inner · unapparent · domesticated · religionary · secret · sainted · piteous · frum · interior · godly · concealed · private · undisclosed · inward · tect · nondisplayed · internal · occluded · intranational · obscure · obscured · practicing · sanctimonious · veiled · occulted · friendly · heavenly-minded · snug · invisible · dern · devout · chummy · introitive · thick · home · inland · obfuscated · obfuscatory · dark · piteous · obfuscated · devoutful · recondite · godfearing · veiled · silent · latent · covered · underground · secluded · genuine · Allah-fearing · observant · inward · docile · sincere · pious · private

Translations (16)

ru вну́тренний (on inside) · fi sisä- (on inside) · ckb بەرەوناو (on inside) · ckb بەرەوژوور (on inside) · es interior (on inside) · fr intérieur (on inside) · el έσω (on inside) · eo internen (on inside) · el εσώτερος (on inside) · fi sisäinen (on inside) · bg вътрешен (on inside) · la penitus (on inside) · de innere (on inside) · mi ki roto (on inside) · fi sisäänpäin suuntautunut (on inside) · la internus (on inside)

inward en · ADV

Pronunciation

• (California) audio
• /ˈɪnwəd/ (Australia)
• /ˈɪnwɚd/ (Canada, General-American)
• /ˈɪnwəd/ (UK)

Etymology

From Middle English inward, from Old English inweard, corresponding to in + -ward.

Meanings

1. (not-comparable) Towards the inside.
2. (not-comparable) Towards one’s mind, thoughts, or internal self.
   • So much the rather, thou Celestial Light, / Shine inward. 1667, John Milton, “Book III”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
   • By this logic, it makes more sense to turn inward than to make oneself vulnerable, to nihilistically maxx rather than actually encounter the other. 2026 March 3, Christine Emba, “The Reason Gen Z Isn’t Dating”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 03 Mar 2026:
   • You also may experience feelings of guilt, which is anger turned inward on yourself. 2005, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, David Kessler, On Grief and Grieving, →ISBN, page 16:
3. (not-comparable, obsolete) On the inside, within, inside.
4. (not-comparable, obsolete) In one’s mind, thoughts, or internal self.
5. (not-comparable) Towards home.

Antonyms

outwards · outward

Synonyms

withinward · inwards

Translations (10)

mi whakaroto (toward the inside) · bg навътре (toward the inside) · fi sisemmäksi (toward the inside) · wa divintrinnmint (toward the inside) · de nach innen (toward the inside) · ru внутрь (toward the inside) · mi ki roto (toward the inside) · fr vers l'intérieur (toward the inside) · fi sisemmäs (toward the inside) · es adentro (toward the inside)

inward en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (California) audio
• /ˈɪnwəd/ (Australia)
• /ˈɪnwɚd/ (Canada, General-American)
• /ˈɪnwəd/ (UK)

Etymology

From Middle English inward, from Old English inweard, corresponding to in + -ward.

Meanings

1. (in-plural, obsolete) That which is inward or within; the inner parts or organs of the body; the viscera.
   • [T]his man is a servant of the eyes of men, and offers parchment or a white skin in sacrifice, but the flesh and the inwards he leaves to be consumed by a stranger fire. 1653, “Twenty-five Sermons Preached at Golden Grove; Being for the Winter Half-year, […]: Sermon XII. Of Lukewarmness and Zeal; or, Spiritual Fervour. Part I.”, in Reginald Heber, editor, The Whole Works of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor, D.D. […], volume V, London: Ogle, Duncan, and Co. […]; and Richard Priestley, […], published 1822, →OCLC, page 176:
   • Then sacrificing, laid the inwards and their fat. 1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
2. (in-plural, obsolete) The mental faculties or other characteristics not immediately apparent.
3. (obsolete) A familiar friend or acquaintance.
   • I was an inward of his. c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:

Forms