inwardness

noun

in·​ward·​ness ˈin-wərd-nəs 

1

: internal quality or substance

2

: close acquaintance : familiarity

3

: fundamental nature : essence

4

: absorption in one's own mental or spiritual life

Examples of inwardness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s an inwardness to the way these boys express themselves, especially in regard to each another. — Manuel Betancourt, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Nov. 2022

Alongside the radiant climaxes, the chorus achieves spells of shivering inwardness. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

The inwardness of McCorkle’s Omar has an overwhelming gravity. — Charles McNultytheater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2022

Their socialism, its inwardness and self-sufficiency, was a way of incubating Hebrew. — Jordan Castro, Harper's Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1