introvert

1 of 2

noun

in·​tro·​vert ˈin-trə-ˌvərt 

plural introverts

1

: a person whose personality is characterized by introversion : a typically reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone

… introverts gain energy through solitude and quiet.

—Bill Howatt

His research further shows that about 70% of top executives are introverts.

—Linda Grant

Bill Gates is quiet and bookish, but apparently unfazed by others' opinions of him: he's an introvert, but not shy.

—Steven Aitchison

Note: Introverts are typically more comfortable interacting with small groups of people rather than large groups (as at parties). The psychologist Carl Gustav Jung first introduced the terms introvert, introversion, extrovert, and extroversion in the early 1900s to describe personality types that focus a person's energy on either the inner or outer world. The terms introvert and extrovert have since become widely popularized, with introvert often broadly used to mean "a quiet or shy person."

… she was, by other accounts, a "shy sensitive introvert" who was "afraid of people and felt most comfortable when she could shut the door and withdraw."

—Robert R. Harris

compare extrovert

2

: something (such as the retractile proboscis of some worms) that is or can be drawn in especially by invagination

introvert

2 of 2

verb

introverted; introverting; introverts

transitive verb

: to turn inward or in upon oneself or itself: such as

a

: to concentrate or direct upon oneself

… served the purpose of introverting aggressive intentions.

—Ernst Simmel

b

: to produce psychological introversion in

"… I had gone through some pretty hard deals, and it did introvert me. … "

—Joni Mitchell

Synonyms

Noun

• shrinking violet
• wallflower

Examples of introvert in a Sentence

Noun

although interested in the public welfare, he was too much of an introvert to consider personally running for political office

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Waltrip has never been known for being soft spoken or an introvert. —Greg Engle, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2023

Carl Jung’s research on introverts and extroverts found introverts prefer environments that aren’t overwhelming and require more time to recover their energy when they are stimulated. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 27 July 2023

How does Washington define himself as an introvert? —Bysheryl Estrada, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2023

But Samantha Domville found that nice as an introvert as well. —Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 15 Aug. 2023

Compared with its showy predecessor, One Madison Avenue is an introvert. —Audrey Wachs, Curbed, 9 Aug. 2023

But on a basic level, people who identify as introverts — like me! — are more likely to keep a serious diagnosis under wraps. —Victoria Westerleigh*, Good Housekeeping, 15 July 2023

That’s a big difference between introverts and extroverts: the former loses energy when engaging with others and needs solo down time to build it up again, while the latter is energized and enlivened by interacting with others. —Wayne and Wanda, Anchorage Daily News, 8 July 2023

When you’re partied out, plan an intimate gathering with one or two encouraging friends, because that’s less taxing for an introvert, Kozak says. —Addison Aloian, Women's Health, 3 July 2023

Verb

This tactic can also help create psychological safety for others in the workforce who are also introverted or observational. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023

The novel scrolls back to key episodes in Bob’s youth and early adulthood, including his one and only great friendship with a man named Ethan Augustine, who is his opposite in every way: as unreliable as Bob is dependable, as lively as Bob is staid, as outgoing as Bob is introverted. —Heller McAlpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2023

Remember, being introverted does not mean being shy or uncaring—in fact, quite the opposite. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023

Dawood tends to be reserved and introverted, Hashim said, but the two men kept in close touch over the years. —NBC News, 22 June 2023

Felix Cooper Ortega is naturally introverted. —Hunter Harris, ELLE, 7 Mar. 2023

So that will introvert a gal. —Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2021

As a sober person, the idea of staying in, introverting, and enjoying downtime isn’t what’s getting to me. —Carly Benson, SELF, 30 Mar. 2020

Which is to say, the music and script still fuse marvelously in the account of the big lie in which introverted Evan Hansen envelops himself and the vulnerable people around him. —Peter Marks, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2019

See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

(sense 2) noun derivative of introvert entry 2; (sense 1) back formation from introverted

Verb

borrowed from New Latin intrōvertere, from Latin intrō- intro- + vertere "to turn" — more at worth entry 4

First Known Use

Noun

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1652, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

introvert

noun

in·​tro·​vert

ˈin-trə-ˌvərt

1

: a person who is concerned or interested mostly in one's own thoughts and ideas

2

: a person who is shy or reserved and enjoys spending time alone

introversion

ˌin-trə-ˈver-zhən

-shən

noun

introverted

-ˌvərt-əd

adjective

Medical Definition

introvert

1 of 2 noun

: a person whose personality is characterized by introversion : a typically reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone

Note: Introverts are typically more comfortable interacting with small groups of people rather than large groups (as at parties). The psychologist C. G. Jung first introduced the terms introvert, introversion, extrovert, and extroversion in the early 1900s to describe personality types that focus a person's energy on either the inner or outer world. The terms introvert and extrovert have since become widely popularized, with introvert often broadly used to mean "a quiet or shy person." compare extrovert

introvert

2 of 2 transitive verb

in·​tro·​vert ˈin-trə-ˌvərt 

: to turn inward or upon itself

specifically : to produce psychological introversion in