interior

1 of 2

adjective

in·​te·​ri·​or in-ˈtir-ē-ər 

1

: lying, occurring, or functioning within the limiting boundaries : inner

an interior point of a triangle

2

: belonging to mental or spiritual life

a simple interior piety

3

: belonging to the inner constitution or concealed nature of something

interior meaning of a poem

4

: lying away or remote from the border or shore

interiorly

in-ˈtir-ē-ər-lē 

adverb

interior

2 of 2

noun

1

: the inner or spiritual nature : character

2

: the interior part (as of a country or island)

3

: the internal or inner part of a thing : inside

4

: the internal affairs of a state or nation

5

: a representation (as in a play or movie) of the interior of a building

Synonyms of interior

Adjective

• internal
• inner
• mental

Noun

• inside
• within

Examples of interior in a Sentence

Adjective

a large car with lots of interior room

the novel's characters have plenty of adventures, but their interior lives are never explored

Noun

a black car with gray leather interior

the interior of the house

They traveled deep into the interior of Australia.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows. —Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Mar. 2026

When the weather is warm, the best tables are those in the meditative interior courtyard open to blue sky, drifting clouds and the breeze ruffling sudare screens. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026

Noun

Begin the evening with an aperitivo in the sleek Lobby Bar before moving into the restaurant’s warm and womblike interior. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026

Onassis enlisted high society decorator Sister Parish to design the interiors, creating an elegant yet comfortable setting where the young political power couple entertained Washington insiders and journalists. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle French & Latin; Middle French interiore, from Latin, comparative of Old Latin *interus inward, on the inside; akin to Latin inter

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing interior

• interior angle
• interior decoration
• interior decorator
• interior design
• interior designer
• interior door
• interior monologue

Rhymes for interior

• anterior
• exterior
• inferior
• ulterior

Kids Definition

interior

1 of 2 adjective

in·​te·​ri·​or in-ˈtir-ē-ər 

1

: existing or occurring within the limits : inner

2

: remote from the border or shore

interiorly adverb

interior

2 of 2 noun

1

: the internal or inner part of something : inside

the interior of a house

2

: the inland part (as of a country or island)

traveled to the interior of Australia

3

: the internal affairs of a state or nation

department of the Interior

Medical Definition

interior

1 of 2 adjective

in·​te·​ri·​or in-ˈtir-ē-ər 

: lying, occurring, or functioning within limiting boundaries

interior

2 of 2 noun

: the internal or inner part or cavity of a thing