inside out

adverb

1
: in such a manner that the inner surface becomes the outer
turned the shirt inside out
2
: to a thorough degree
knows the subject inside out
3
: in or into a state of disarray often involving drastic reorganization
turned the business inside out

Examples of inside out in a Sentence

after 20 years of employment there, he has come to know the company inside out
Recent Examples on the Web Maybe be like Sofia Richie Grainge and wear your pants inside out! Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2023 Some wear their fatigues inside out, identifying them as Marines who are just learning to swim and flailing the length of the pool in a mix of dog paddle and haphazard overhand stroke. Lolita C. Baldor, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2023 This wouldn’t be the first time Fox has worn her underwear inside out (quite literally in fact). Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2023 Machine wash inside out on cold; tumble dry on low or line-dry Wrangler Westward High Rise Bootcut Jean View On Wrangler.com Pros Made from 100% cotton, these jeans are a great option to use as workwear. Erika Reals, Peoplemag, 6 Oct. 2023 Balanchine turns classical steps inside out with humor, but the choreography’s brisk flash and force is also found in the delicacy of its power. Gia Kourlas, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023 Machine wash cold inside out with like colors, tumble dry low Good American Good Classic Slim Straight Jeans View On Goodamerican.com Pros These didn’t feel too tight on the legs, even with the slim fit. Erika Reals, Peoplemag, 6 Oct. 2023 The bailiff asked them to turn their shirts inside out before the arraignment started. Holly Yan, CNN, 20 Sep. 2023 That compares with a gain of nearly 411,000 jobs a month last year, an unsustainable hiring spree that began after COVID shutdowns turned the job market inside out. Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inside out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inside out was circa 1600

Dictionary Entries Near inside out

Cite this Entry

“Inside out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inside%20out. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

inside out

adverb
1
: in such a way that the inner surface becomes the outer
2
: to a thorough degree
knows the family history inside out

More from Merriam-Webster on inside out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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