introvert

[noun, adjective in-truh-vurt; verb in-truh-vurt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR introvert ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a shy person.

Psychology. a person characterized by concern primarily with his or her own thoughts and feelings (opposed to extrovert).

Zoology. a part that is or can be introverted.

adjective

Psychology. marked by introversion.

verb (used with object)

to turn inward: to introvert one's anger.

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

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

Origin of introvert

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

Related formsnon·in·tro·vert·ed, adjectivenon·in·tro·vert·ed·ly, adverbnon·in·tro·vert·ed·ness, nounun·in·tro·vert·ed, adjective

Can be confusedextrovert introvert

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for introverting

revert, convert, capsize, renege, backtrack, transpose, tip, modify, upset, flip, turn, flip-flop, introvert, overturn, alter, change, upend, evert, inverse, upturn

Examples from the Web for introverting

Historical Examples of introverting

I felt my mind flinch, because Introverting a Place is several degrees worse than foxholing.
The Big Time
Fritz Reuter Leiber

British Dictionary definitions for introverting

introvert

noun (ˈɪntrəˌvɜːt)

psychol a person prone to introversion

adjective (ˈɪntrəˌvɜːt)

Also: introverted characterized by introversion

verb (ˌɪntrəˈvɜːt)

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

Compare extrovert

Word Origin for introvert

C17: see intro-, invert

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for introverting

introvert

1650s, from Latin intro- "inward" (see intro-) + vertere "to turn" (see versus). The noun, "introverted person" (opposed to extrovert) is 1918, from German psychology, introduced there by C.G. Jung (1875-1961).

introverting in Medicine

introvert

[ĭn′trə-vûrt′, ĭn′trə-vûrt′]

v.

To turn or direct inward.

To concentrate one's interests upon oneself.

To turn a tubular organ or part inward upon itself.

n.

One whose thoughts and feelings are directed toward oneself.

An anatomical structure that is capable of being introverted.

introverting in Culture

introvert

[(in-truh-vurt)]

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.)