inner

American  

[in-er] / ˈɪn ər /

adjective

1. situated within or farther within; interior.

   an inner door.

2. more intimate, private, or secret.

   the inner workings of the organization.

3. of or relating to the mind or spirit; mental; spiritual.

   the inner life.

4. not obvious; hidden or obscure.

   an inner meaning.

5. noting or relating to an aspect of a person's mind or personality that has not been fully discovered, revealed, or expressed.

   a place where anyone can find their inner artist regardless of skill level.

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inner British  

/ ˈɪnə /

adjective

1. being or located further inside

   an inner room

2. happening or occurring inside

   inner movement

3. relating to the soul, mind, spirit, etc

   inner feelings

4. more profound or obscure; less apparent

   the inner meaning

5. exclusive or private

   inner regions of the party

6. chem (of a compound) having a cyclic structure formed or apparently formed by reaction of one functional group in a molecule with another group in the same molecule

   an inner ester

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noun

1. Also called: red.  archery

   1. the red innermost ring on a target

   2. a shot which hits this ring

Other Word Forms

• innerly
  adverb
• innerness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of inner

before 900; Middle English; Old English innera, comparative based on the adv. inne within, inside; see inmost , -er ⁴

Explanation

Something that's described as inner is at the center or interior. You inner ear, for example, is the part of your ear that you can't see. The inner pocket of your winter coat is the one closest to your body, and an inner courtyard is usually surrounded by at least one surrounding outer courtyard. Inner strength is the kind that comes from deep within your essential self, and an "inner circle" is a small privileged group of people with special access to information or influence. The "inner city" usually means the poorest section of a big city.

Example Sentences

Schultz said that Legal Aid subcontracts some of the legal work in the program to groups such as Bet Tzedek and Inner City Law Center.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

Inner London Crown Court was told that travellers on the London Underground received texts claiming a parcel delivery had failed, along with a link to "resolve" the issue.

From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026

"Inner speech is the voice in your head that silently narrates your thoughts - what you're doing, planning, or noticing," he says.

From Science Daily • Jan. 23, 2026

When Louise, angling for attention, participates in her church’s Inner Beauty pageant, her talent is holding her breath until she faints.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

On a scarlet- draped platform an orator of the Inner Party, a small lean man with disproportionately long arms and a large, bald skull over which a few lank locks straggled, was haranguing the crowd.

From "1984" by George Orwell