inward

1 of 3

adjective

in·​ward ˈin-wərd 

1

: situated on the inside : inner

2

a

: of or relating to the mind or spirit

inward peace

b

: absorbed in one's own mental or spiritual life : introspective

3

: marked by close acquaintance : familiar

4

: directed toward the interior

inward

2 of 3

adverb

in·​ward ˈin-wərd 

variants or inwards

ˈin-wərdz 

1

: toward the inside, center, or interior

2

: toward the inner being

inward

3 of 3

noun

1

: something that is inward

2

inwards ˈin-ərdz  -wərdz  plural : innards

Synonyms of inward

Adjective

• inner
• interior
• internal

Noun

• inside(s)
• viscera
• innards
• gut
• entrails
• vitals
• bowel(s)
• intestine(s)

Examples of inward in a Sentence

Adjective

moved towards the inward room for more privacy

he's more inward with the president than most members of the cabinet

Adverb

The window faces inward toward the courtyard.

He turned his attention inward.

Noun

the hunter cleaned the deer by slicing open the belly and removing the inwards

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Mainstream management and economics continued down the inward path. —Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Aaron Rai handled the tougher pins and made four birdies on his inward nine Friday for a 4-under 67, giving him a one-shot lead over Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker and Mark Hubbard in the Myrtle Beach Classic. —ABC News, 8 May 2026

Adverb

Some took place in dormitories on campus, examining quiet moments between friends or lovers—even these inward-looking stories weren’t spared bloodshed that year. —Literary Hub, 10 June 2026

But unlike other automakers, Rivian also allows the halo dials to toggle fore and aft in a similar fashion to paddle shifters—and even tilt inward and outward laterally to make gauge screen widget selections. —ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026

Noun

What likely happened, the team explains, is that the planet spiraled inwards towards the star, became orbitally unstable, and was eventually absorbed. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 6 June 2026

So think about this notion turned inwards. —Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English inweard (akin to Old High German inwert), from in + -weard -ward entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

inward

1 of 2 adjective

in·​ward ˈin-wərd 

1

: situated on the inside : inner

2

: of or relating to the mind or spirit

an inward peace

3

: directed toward the interior

an inward flow

inward

2 of 2 adverb

variants or inwards

ˈin-wərdz 

1

: toward the inside, center, or interior

2

: toward the mind or spirit