innermost

American  

[in-er-mohst, -muhst] / ˈɪn ərˌmoʊst, -məst /

adjective

1. farthest inward; inmost.

2. most intimate or secret.

   one's innermost beliefs.

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noun

1. the innermost part.

innermost British  

/ ˈɪnəˌməʊst /

adjective

1. being or located furthest within; central

2. intimate; private

   innermost beliefs

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Etymology

Origin of innermost

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; inner, -most

Explanation

Innermost things are located as far as possible inside or closest to the middle. The innermost part of a jelly doughnut is the where you'll find the jelly. The innermost room at your school — or the room at the very center — might be the library, and an Alaskan's innermost layer of clothing in the winter is probably her long underwear. Another way to use innermost is to mean "most intimate or private," such as your innermost beliefs, thoughts, or dreams. In Middle English, there was also an innermore.

Example Sentences

Past conflicts—due largely to a considerable lag between U.S. doctrine and technology—began with the outermost defensive ring and painfully worked toward the innermost ring of the capital, he wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

If you opt for private sessions, there’s a misconception that it will involve revealing your innermost secrets, perhaps while lying on a couch, as a therapist prods you to beat back your demons.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026

It generates a world and mission tailored to each player's innermost wants and needs.

From BBC • Dec. 13, 2025

In this method, astronomers observe the star at times when both TRAPPIST-1e and TRAPPIST-1b, the system's innermost and airless planet, cross in front of the star at the same time.

From Science Daily • Dec. 12, 2025

We don’t just want your muscles and that portion of your brain that is directly connected to them, we want your innermost self.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich