internal

[in-tur-nl]

adjective

1. situated or existing in the interior of something; interior.

   Antonyms: external

2. of, relating to, or noting the inside or inner part.

   Antonyms: external

3. Pharmacology.,  oral.

4. existing, occurring, or found within the limits or scope of something; intrinsic.

   a theory having internal logic.

5. of or relating to the domestic affairs of a country.

   the internal politics of a nation.

6. existing solely within the individual mind.

   internal malaise.

7. coming from, produced, or motivated by the psyche or inner recesses of the mind; subjective.

   an internal response.

8. Anatomy, Zoology.,  inner; not superficial; away from the surface or next to the axis of the body or of a part.

   the internal carotid artery.

9. present or occurring within an organism or one of its parts.

   an internal organ.

noun

1. Usually internals. entrails; innards.

2. an inner or intrinsic attribute.

internal

/ ɪnˈtɜːnəl /

adjective

1. of, situated on, or suitable for the inside; inner

2. coming or acting from within; interior

3. involving the spiritual or mental life; subjective

4. of or involving a nation's domestic as opposed to foreign affairs

5. education denoting assessment by examiners who are employed at the candidate's place of study

6. situated within, affecting, or relating to the inside of the body

noun

1. a medical examination of the vagina, uterus, or rectum

Other Word Forms

• internality noun
• internalness noun
• internally adverb
• quasi-internal adjective
• quasi-internally adverb
• semi-internal adjective
• semi-internally adverb
• subinternal adjective
• subinternally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of internal¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Medieval Latin internālis, equivalent to Latin intern(us) intern ³ + ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of internal¹

C16: from Medieval Latin internālis, from Late Latin internus inward

Example Sentences

Islamic Jihad, a smaller militant faction, publicly endorsed Hamas’s position late Friday, signaling a rare moment of internal alignment within Gaza’s armed movements.

From Salon

But it was internal FBI resistance, from Felt and agents at lower levels, that led to Gray’s departure.

From Salon

She faces many challenges including uniting a struggling ruling party after a turbulent few years which saw it rocked by scandals and internal conflicts.

From BBC

The announcement on the eve of the party's conference in Manchester will settle the party's position following months of internal divisions.

From BBC

When she quit the New York Times in 2020, she accused her former employer of failing to protect her from internal criticism by her colleagues.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• constitutional 
• domestic 
• in-house 
• intramural 
• national 
• private 
• subjective