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

This force pushes outward, counteracting the inward pull of gravity. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026

The inward beauty, the soaring moments, the perfection of electronic effects grab me on every listen. —Liza Lentini, SPIN, 3 Apr. 2026

Adverb

History has shown, time and again, that leaders who accumulate unchecked power, surround themselves with loyalists, and normalize perpetual war often turn those powers inward. —John Whitehead, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026

No need to look around for the rim of a bowl or the edge of your counter, both of which will just drive shell fragments inward and dribble egg everywhere. —Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026

Noun

To maintain movement and bounce, her ends are cut bluntly and bumped inwards with a flat-iron. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026

Moretus, like Tycho, is recognizable by its prominent central peak, which rose as the crater floor rebounded inwards in the wake of the devastating asteroid strike that heralded its creation. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 3 Apr. 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