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

Carriers would have to submit the tracking number on the inward manifest as well. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026

The Parthenon’s columns famously have a slight inward tilt toward the roof and bulge at the center, which some people theorize balances out the curved stylobate. — Emma Gometz, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Italy’s inward cinema, TV and video-on-demand sectors content investment fell in 2025 for the first time since 2018, the annual APA report released at the MIA Market in Rome indicated. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026

The fabric folds inward, sinks toward the earth and spreads across the grass. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

Noun

But his script winds up spiraling inwards rather than outwards. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026

Our scenario was predicated on the US continuing to turn inwards and failing to cooperate effectively with its network of allies in Europe and Asia. — Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 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