introversion

noun

in·​tro·​ver·​sion ˌin-trə-ˈvər-zhən 

-shən

1

: the act of introverting : the state of being turned inward or upon oneself or itself

introversion of an eyelash

… the introversion of the German policy-makers after World War II, seeking less of world limelight.

—Ronald Kayanja

2

psychology : the state of or tendency toward being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from one's own mental life : a personality trait or style characterized by a preference for or orientation to one's own thoughts and feelings

Note: The psychologist Carl Gustav Jung first introduced the terms introversion, introvert, extroversion, and extrovert in the early 1900s to describe personality types that focus a person's energy on either the inner or outer world.

As a corporate trainer I'd always received high performance ratings. … Introversion had made me a good listener which put people at ease.

—Linda Harding-Bond

For all the things shyness is, there are a number of things it's not. For one, it's not simple introversion. If you stay home on a Friday night just because you prefer a good book to a loud party, you're not necessarily shy …

—Jeffrey Kluger

compare extroversion

introversive

ˌin-trə-ˈvər-siv 

-ziv

adjective

introversively adverb

Examples of introversion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some people can mistake high sensitivity for introversion or neuroticism. —Jessica Migala, Health, 26 Mar. 2024

As much as she’s known for her ensemble work and her larger-than-life characters, there’s a level of introversion to Wiig. —Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024

While some report that their introversion has stoked loneliness, others have found that working from home and staying in was more their speed after lockdown lifted. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2024

Carrying the burden of this secret can lead to introversion and anxiety that can make even simpler socializing feel just not worth it. —Haley Weiss, Time, 24 July 2023

The sensitive Moon moves into her home sign of nurturing Cancer, bringing the focus back to emotional healing and care while also encouraging introversion. —Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2023

The University of Wollongong’s School of Psychology, which is based in Australia, recently looked into how 114 people fared during the pandemic and found that overall, higher introversion was associated with higher loneliness, depression, and anxiety. —Elizabeth Gulino, refinery29.com, 11 Mar. 2021

This naturally occurring phenomenon is true for human height, for personality traits such as introversion and more. —Nancy Doyle, Forbes, 7 May 2023

The concepts of introversion and extraversion long ago escaped the confines of academic psychology and are widely used in everyday conversation, albeit in ways that do not always reflect the psychological definitions. —Emma Barrett and Paul Martin, Discover Magazine, 4 Dec. 2014

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin intrōversiōn-, intrōversiō "a turning inward," from intrōvertere "to turn inward" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action; (sense 2) after German Introversion — more at introvert entry 2

Note: Regarding the use of Introversion by Carl jung in psychology see note at extroversion.

First Known Use

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

introversion

noun

in·​tro·​ver·​sion ˌin-trə-ˈvər-zhən, -shən 

1

: the state of being turned inward or upon itself

introversion of an eyelash

2

: the state of or tendency toward being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from one's own mental life : a personality trait or style characterized by a preference for or orientation to one's own thoughts and feelings

Note: The psychologist C. G. Jung first introduced the terms introversion, introvert, extroversion, and extrovert in the early 1900s to describe personality types that focus a person's energy on either the inner or outer world.

compare extroversion

introversive

-ˈvər-siv, -ziv 

adjective

introversively adverb