inwardly

American  

[in-werd-lee] / ˈɪn wərd li /

adverb

1. in or on, or with reference to, the inside or inner part; internally.

2. privately; secretly.

   Inwardly, he disliked his guest.

3. within the self; mentally or spiritually.

   Look inwardly to discover the truth.

4. in low or soft tones; not aloud.

5. toward the inside, interior, or center.

---

inwardly British  

/ ˈɪnwədlɪ /

adverb

1. within the private thoughts or feelings; secretly

   inwardly troubled, he kept smiling

2. not aloud

   to laugh inwardly

3. with reference to the inside or inner part; internally

4. archaic intimately; essentially

   the most inwardly concerned of the plotters

---

Etymology

Origin of inwardly

First recorded before 1000; Middle English inwardli, Old English inweardlīce; inward, -ly

Example Sentences

I nodded along at each tap of the keys, though inwardly I sighed, wondering why I needed to know the names of the notes.

From Literature

‘I…’ My voice trails away and I’m inwardly kicking myself.

From Literature

Well, I sighed inwardly, it could have been worse; it could have been Treebaun again.

From Literature

I won’t! he cried inwardly as his strength failed him and his thoughts began to blur.

From Literature

Cooper, do you see your character here as an extension of what you were doing in “Licorice Pizza”? It’s this guy who outwardly has a lot of game, but then inwardly is struggling.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• internally
• within