inside

1 of 4

noun

in·​side (ˌ)in-ˈsīd  ˈin-ˌsīd 

1

a

: an interior or internal part or place : the part within

b

: inward nature, thoughts, or feeling

c

: viscera, entrails

—usually used in plural

2

: an inner side or surface

3

a

: a position of power, trust, or familiarity

only someone on the inside could have told

b

: confidential information

has the inside on what happened at the convention

4

: the area nearest a specified or implied point of reference: such as

a

: the side of home plate nearest the batter

b

: the middle portion of a playing area

c

: the area near or underneath the basket in basketball

inside

2 of 4

adverb

1

: on the inner side

2

: in or into the interior

stayed inside during the storm

3

: to or on the inside

4

: in prison

inside

3 of 4

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or being on or near the inside

an inside pitch

2

a

: relating or known to a select group

inside information

an inside joke

b

: behind-the-scenes

inside

4 of 4

preposition

1

a

: in or into or as if in or into the interior of

waited inside the church

b

: on the inner side of

just inside the door

2

: within

inside an hour

Synonyms of inside

Noun

• interior
• within

Adjective

• confidential
• private
• secret
• hidden
• classified

Examples of inside in a Sentence

Noun

The inside of the church is quite beautiful.

I've never seen the inside of a computer before.

Adverb

I cleaned my car inside and out.

The candy is chewy inside.

We went inside during the storm.

Step inside and look at our menu.

He got put inside for burglary.

Adjective

the inside edge of her foot

He gave us an inside view of the situation.

I got the inside story from a friend who works there.

Preposition

We waited inside the store.

Several people were trapped inside the burning building.

She kept her hands inside her pockets.

His feelings were building up inside him.

He lives inside the city limits.

Sources inside the company indicate that there are disagreements about the change in management.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On Florida roads, AVs are not required to have a human inside, as some other states mandate, and local governments may not implement any tax, fee, or restriction on these vehicles. —Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026

Stuck in his backhand corner, Altmaier was on defense as Lajović whipped an inside-out forehand crosscourt. —Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026

Adverb

There’s a ladies’ and a gentlemen’s flanking the stairwell on this upper entry level, each outfitted with a cold plunge, sauna, steam room, and showers inside and out. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026

Authorities responded to the residence in Windham on Sunday, after a woman called 911 from a closet inside and reported an apparent break-in, CBS News reported. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Unless a team uses a high draft pick on an inside linebacker, Miami won’t find a better starter at that price point. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026

The agency doesn’t test dust that shows up inside buildings. —Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 1 Mar. 2026

Preposition

The talks come amid heightened regional tensions, including ongoing protests inside Iran and mounting concerns about possible military escalation as the US builds up its forces in the Middle East. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026

In that case, police found methamphetamines and pill bottles within reach of two children inside the Muñozes’ residence on Pine Avenue in Long Beach, according to a pretrial investigative report. —Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing inside

• deep down (inside)
• inside address
• inside baseball
• inside job
• inside joke
• inside of
• inside out
• inside the door
• inside track
• inside voice
• know something inside and out
• know something inside out
• on the inside
• the inside
• the inside dope
• the inside scoop
• the inside/straight/real skinny
• the inside track
• turn (something) inside out

Rhymes for inside

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids Definition

inside

1 of 4 noun

in·​side (ˈ)in-ˈsīd  ˈin-ˌsīd 

1

: an inner side or surface

2

a

: an interior or internal part

b

: inward nature, thoughts, or feeling

c

: entrails

—usually used in plural

inside

2 of 4 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or being on or near the inside

an inside wall

2

: relating or known to a special group of people

inside information

inside

3 of 4 preposition

1

a

: in or into the interior of

they are inside the house

b

: on the inner side of

put the dot inside the curve

2

: before the end of : within

inside an hour

inside

4 of 4 adverb

1

: on the inside

the car is clean inside

2

: in or into the interior

went inside