insider

noun

in·​sid·​er (ˌ)in-ˈsī-dər 

ˈin-ˌsī-

: a person recognized or accepted as a member of a group, category, or organization: such as

a

: a person who is in a position of power or has access to confidential information

b

: a person (such as an officer or director) who is in a position to have special knowledge of the affairs of or to influence the decisions of a company

Examples of insider in a Sentence

Political insiders say that she is planning to run for president.

The book gives fans an insider's view of Hollywood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Described by insiders as a calm, yet tireless worker, a skilled negotiator, and a respected leader, Loftus was promoted to partner at IAG in 2018. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 June 2025

Research on the subject offers varied conclusions: from how hiring external CEOs amplifies both the costs and the benefits of strategic change, to how firms with outside CEOs achieve greater productivity gains than those led by insiders. —Iese Business School, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

This panel will feature watch collectors, designers, and industry insiders. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 17 June 2025

After a production boom in recent years that had some industry insiders fretting about an unsustainable glut of content, the Serbian TV biz appears to be headed for a course correction, with local producers and commissioners pointing toward a shift in emphasis from quantity to quality. —Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 17 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing insider

• insider trading

Rhymes for insider

• collider
• confider
• divider
• outsider
• provider
• cider
• cyder
• eider
• glider
• hider
• rider
• schneider

Kids Definition

insider

noun

in·​sid·​er (ˈ)in-ˈsīd-ər 

: a person who is a member of a special group or organization

Legal Definition

insider

noun

in·​sid·​er

: a person who is in a position of power or has access to confidential information: as

a

: one (as an officer, director, employee, relative, or owner of more than 10% of the corporation's stock) who is in a position to have special knowledge of the affairs of or to influence the decisions of a company

b

: an individual (as a relative or an influential party) or entity (as a corporate affiliate) having a close relationship with a debtor such that transactions are not made at arm's length and are subject to closer scrutiny than the transactions of those dealing at arm's length