insider

noun

in·​sid·​er (ˌ)in-ˈsī-dər 

ˈin-ˌsī-

: a person recognized or accepted as a member of a group, category, or organization: such as

a

: a person who is in a position of power or has access to confidential information

b

: a person (such as an officer or director) who is in a position to have special knowledge of the affairs of or to influence the decisions of a company

Examples of insider in a Sentence

Political insiders say that she is planning to run for president.

The book gives fans an insider's view of Hollywood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Vogue Shopping The insider’s guide to what to shop and how to wear it. —Kerry Pieri, Vogue, 13 Apr. 2024

Getty Images Skin Check An insider’s guide to all things skin care. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 12 Apr. 2024

Meta was also heavily critiqued in late 2023 over its use of encryption technology for Facebook and Instagram DMs — something insiders said helped predators, not victims. —Laura Bratton, Quartz, 11 Apr. 2024

But insiders say the app’s well of instant virality could be drying up. —August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024

The extent of insider participation, if any, has not yet been determined. —Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024

Until recently, only industry insiders knew that Mathieu also maintains galleries in New York City and Paris and operates a museum in Gargas, in his native Provence. —Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2024

Each week, Maricopa and Pinal county reporter Sasha Hupka reports and curates must-know campaign news, insider exclusives and service-style voter tips from Arizona’s largest and most talented elections team. —Rafael Carranza, The Arizona Republic, 1 Apr. 2024

If that wasn’t the case, says another longtime insider, leadership problems are to blame. —Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing insider

• insider trading

Kids Definition

insider

noun

in·​sid·​er (ˈ)in-ˈsīd-ər 

: a person who is a member of a special group or organization

Legal Definition

insider

noun

in·​sid·​er

: a person who is in a position of power or has access to confidential information: as

a

: one (as an officer, director, employee, relative, or owner of more than 10% of the corporation's stock) who is in a position to have special knowledge of the affairs of or to influence the decisions of a company

b

: an individual (as a relative or an influential party) or entity (as a corporate affiliate) having a close relationship with a debtor such that transactions are not made at arm's length and are subject to closer scrutiny than the transactions of those dealing at arm's length