Standard Lemma guide

inward

adj · adv · noun · 23 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ˈɪnwəd/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • homophone: n-word
  • CMU ARPABET: IH1 N W ER0 D Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Situated on the inside; that is within, inner; belonging to the inside.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: interior, internal

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Not superficially obvious, inner, not expressed, especially relating to mental or spiritual faculties as opposed to external ones.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: inner, private

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Moving or tending toward the inside.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: introitive

Antonyms: none provided

4

adj

Meaning 4

Not directed toward the outside world, and thus quiet or indistinct.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: faint

Antonyms: none provided

5

adj

Meaning 5

Internal to a particular place or country; not foreign, domestic.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: home, inland, intranational

Antonyms: none provided

6

adj

Meaning 6

Secret, private, kept hidden.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: obfuscated, secluded, veiled, covered, concealed, dark, dern, hidden, invisible, inward, latent, nondisplayed, obfuscatory, obscure, obscured, occluded, occulted, private, recondite, secret, secreted, silent, snug, tect, unapparent, underground, undisclosed

Antonyms: none provided

7

adj

Meaning 7

Coming from one’s inmost or sincerest feelings; heartfelt, earnest.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: genuine, sincere

Antonyms: none provided

8

adj

Meaning 8

Intimate, closely acquainted; familiar, close.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: chummy, friendly, thick

Antonyms: none provided

9

adj

Meaning 9

Devoted to spiritual matters, pious, devout.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: devoutful, heavenly-minded, piteous, Allah-fearing, devout, frum, godfearing, inward, godly, observant, pious, practicing, religionary, sainted, sanctimonious

Antonyms: none provided

10

adj

Meaning 10

Tame.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: docile, domesticated

Antonyms: none provided

11

adj

Meaning 11

Internal; applied through the stomach by being swallowed.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

12

adv

Meaning 12

Towards the inside.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

13

adv

Meaning 13

Towards one’s mind, thoughts, or internal self.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

14

adv

Meaning 14

On the inside, within, inside.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable, obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

15

adv

Meaning 15

In one’s mind, thoughts, or internal self.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable, obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

16

adv

Meaning 16

Towards home.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Topics: nautical, transport

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

17

noun

Meaning 17

That which is inward or within; the inner parts or organs of the body; the viscera.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: in-plural, obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

18

noun

Meaning 18

The mental faculties or other characteristics not immediately apparent.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: in-plural, obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

19

noun

Meaning 19

A familiar friend or acquaintance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: obsolete

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

20

adjective

Meaning 20

relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a concern with inward reflections

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: outward

21

adjective satellite

Meaning 21

directed or moving inward or toward a center

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the inbound train
  • inward flood of capital

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: inbound

Antonyms: none provided

22

adverb

Meaning 22

toward the center or interior

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • move the needle further inwards!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: inwards

Antonyms: outward

23

adverb

Meaning 23

to or toward the inside of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • come in
  • smash in the door

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: in, inwards

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

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

Across languages

Translations

26 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: вътрешен (vǎtrešen) — on inside
  • Esperanto: internen — on inside
  • Finnish: sisä- — on inside
  • Finnish: sisäinen — on inside
  • Finnish: sisäänpäin suuntautunut — on inside
  • French: intérieur — on inside
  • German: innere — on inside
  • Greek: έσω (éso) — on inside
  • Greek: εσώτερος (esóteros) — on inside
  • Central Kurdish: بەرەوژوور (berewjûr) — on inside
  • Central Kurdish: بەرەوناو (berewnaw) — on inside
  • Latin: internus — on inside
  • Latin: penitus — on inside
  • Māori: ki roto — on inside
  • Russian: вну́тренний (vnútrennij) — on inside
  • Spanish: interior — on inside
  • Bulgarian: навътре (navǎtre) — toward the inside
  • Finnish: sisemmäs — toward the inside
  • Finnish: sisemmäksi — toward the inside
  • French: vers l'intérieur — toward the inside
  • German: nach innen — toward the inside
  • Māori: whakaroto — toward the inside
  • Māori: ki roto — toward the inside
  • Russian: внутрь (vnutrʹ) — toward the inside
  • Spanish: adentro — toward the inside
  • Walloon: divintrinnmint — toward the inside