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; see origin at inner, -most

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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

See Examples For:

innermost

"It's good to have someone around when you need it, someone you can share your innermost thoughts with," she said.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

Mars' innermost moon, Phobos, has puzzled planetary scientists for decades.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 19, 2026

Seeing the accumulation of other people’s innermost desires in the trees — and given that the wishes are uncovered — lends the work an openness and accessibility that can be therapeutic, Loyer said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

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

In my culture, people don’t talk to each other about their innermost thoughts and feelings.

From "How Dare the Sun Rise" by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

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