interiority

British  

/ ɪnˌtɪərɪˈɒrɪtɪ /

noun

1. the quality of being focused on one's inner life and identity

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Explanation

Interiority is a characteristic of being private, inward, or introspective. A writer can convey her characters' interiority by describing their innermost thoughts. The interiority of a person is their quality of being focused on their own inner nature or musings. Certain things are so personal that they carry their own sense of interiority — think of the emotion of love or the faith of a religious believer. You can also use this word to mean "inside" or "protected from the outside," like when you admire the interiority of an enclosed courtyard that's sheltered from the busy city around it.

Example Sentences

And while previous TV adaptations root into the emotional interiority of their male characters while sidelining female desire, “The Forsytes” places more narrative purpose in the hands of its women.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

“This interiority we have is so precious,” says Pollan, as he leans back against his cushy brown sofa in a navy blue sweater and worn loafers, a cup of green tea at his side.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

The interiority of the theme is difficult to render visually, but “La Grazia” is principally a story of Mariano’s quest for lightness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

"I think the tricky thing is the book has a lot of interiority and narration and they've managed to convey it."

From BBC • Oct. 15, 2025

Interiority -- N. interiority; inside, interior; interspace†, subsoil, substratum; intrados. contents &c.

From Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases by Roget, Peter Mark