introverted

adjective

in·​tro·​vert·​ed ˈin-trə-ˌvər-təd 

: having or suggesting the characteristics of an introvert

especially : possessing a reserved or quiet nature typically with an inclination to solitude

It frustrates and pains me to hear so many stories about how misunderstood and overlooked most introverted people felt when they were growing up.

—Marti Olsen Laney

compare extroverted

Synonyms of introverted

• shy
• withdrawn

Examples of introverted in a Sentence

a quiet, introverted child who likes to sit at home and read books

Recent Examples on the Web

Its protagonist, Agathe (Camille Rutherford), is an introverted bookstore employee and aspiring author who dreams of romance but refuses to engage with life. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

The social butterfly to my introverted grandma. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Nov. 2025

Tammie describes her son as introverted and reserved. —Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 26 Nov. 2025

That is more or less the premise of this film, which stars Joaquin Phoenix as the lonely and introverted Theodore Twombly. —Taryn Finley, Refinery29, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

past participle of introvert entry 2, in psychological sense in part as translation of German introvertiert

Note: Regarding use in psychology see note at extroversion.

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for introverted

• controverted
• disconcerted
• extroverted
• preconcerted
• reasserted
• reconverted
• reinserted
• unconverted
• adverted
• alerted
• asserted
• averted

Medical Definition

introverted

adjective

in·​tro·​vert·​ed ˈin-trə-ˌvərt-əd 

variants also introvert

ˈin-trə-ˌvərt 

: having or suggesting the characteristics of an introvert

especially : possessing a reserved or quiet nature typically with an inclination to solitude compare extroverted