introvert

[in-truh-vurt, in-truh-vurt]

noun

1. a person who prefers calm environments, limits social engagement, or embraces a greater than average preference for solitude.

2. Psychology.,  a person characterized by concern primarily with their own thoughts and feelings.

3. Zoology.,  a part that is or can be introverted, or turned in on itself.

adjective

1. having a disposition that is taxed by social engagement and energized by calm environments, resulting in the preference for quiet solitude.

2. Psychology.,  marked by introversion.

verb (used with object)

1. to turn inward.

   to introvert one's anger.

2. Psychology.,  to direct (the mind, one's interest, etc.) partly to things within the self.

3. Anatomy, Zoology.,  to turn (a hollow, cylindrical structure) in on itself; invaginate.

introvert

noun

1. psychol a person prone to introversion

adjective

1. Also: introverted. characterized by introversion

verb

1. (tr) pathol to turn (a hollow organ or part) inside out

introvert

1. A term introduced by the psychologist Carl Jung to describe a person whose motives and actions are directed inward. Introverts tend to be preoccupied with their own thoughts and feelings and minimize their contact with other people. (Compare extrovert.)

Other Word Forms

• nonintroverted adjective
• nonintrovertedly adverb
• nonintrovertedness noun
• unintroverted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of introvert¹

First recorded in 1660–70; intro- + (in)vert

Word History and Origins

Origin of introvert¹

C17: see _intro- , _invert

Synonym Study

Many people mistake shy and introverted as synonyms. The observable behaviors of introverts and shy people are similar; both personalities are characterized by a quiet demeanor and subdued social engagement. However, shyness is associated with timidity and social anxiety. In contrast, introversion is characterized by a lack of interest in interpersonal engagement and a limited endurance for social drama. The distinct motivations of introverted or shy people to act in a retiring manner are as defining as the observable contrast between introverts and extroverts.

Example Sentences

I’ve always been a little introverted, though, especially with other comics, like I get kind of nervous.

From Los Angeles Times

Nicola Sturgeon says she may have appeared to be a confident and combative leader but underneath she is a "painfully shy" introvert who has "always struggled to believe in herself."

From BBC

Syd, ever the introvert, could only handle a few minutes, then pulled me to move on.

From Los Angeles Times

His sign read “You know it’s bad when the introverts show up.”

From Salon

For the first time, the soft-spoken, introverted Delaporte-Richard found himself in the spotlight, with his first major project now available for the world to purchase — unfamiliar territory for him.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• observer 

When To Use

Where does introvert come from?

The word introvert precedes online personality quizzes by about 400 years. The first records of the word introvert come from the 1600s, when it was used as a verb meaning “to turn one’s thoughts inward.” It wasn’t until the 1900s that it began to be popularly used in the context of psychology as a noun referring to a person with a certain personality type. Introvert is formed from the prefix intro-, meaning “inwardly” or “within,” and the root vert, meaning “to turn” (as in invert).The concept of introversion and introverts (and other personality types) was popularized by psychologist Carl Jung in the early 1900s. According to Jung, introverts are people who tend to be preoccupied with their own thoughts and feelings and minimize their contact with other people. Today, we often think of introverts as reflective, reserved, interested in abstract ideas, sensitive, and tending to thrive in familiar environments. In contrast, extroverts are thought to be outgoing and to thrive in social situations. Most theories about personality types agree that a person usually has some elements of introversion and some elements of extroversion. However, many of these theories state that one of those tends to be stronger.