inward
Americanadverb
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toward the inside, interior, or center, as of a place, space, or body.
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into or toward the mind or soul.
He turned his thoughts inward.
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Obsolete.
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on the inside or interior.
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in the mind or soul; mentally or spiritually.
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adjective
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proceeding or directed toward the inside or interior.
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situated within or in or on the inside; inner; internal.
an inward room.
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pertaining to the inside or inner part.
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located within the body.
the inward parts.
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pertaining to the inside of the body.
inward convulsions.
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inland.
inward passage.
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mental or spiritual; inner.
inward peace.
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muffled or indistinct, as the voice.
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private or secret.
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closely personal; intimate.
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Archaic. pertaining to the homeland; domestic.
noun
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the inward or internal part; the inside.
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inwards, the inward parts of the body; entrails; innards.
adjective
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going or directed towards the middle of or into something
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situated within; inside
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of, relating to, or existing in the mind or spirit
inward meditation
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of one's own country or a specific country
inward investment
adverb
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of inward
before 900; Middle English; Old English inweard. See in, -ward
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Material pulled from the star formed a disk around the black hole and became intensely hot as it spiraled inward.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026
Montgomerie argued Farage and Reform were at their best when they were more positive rather than "inward looking" and focused on "grievances."
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
But when viewed in one way of many, “Howl’s Moving Castle” is an encouragement to look inward and see the truth about ourselves honestly and kindly.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
But recently, the company, which employs more than 62,000 people worldwide, has turned that focus inward.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026
Thinking some faint answer came in his inward hearing he pursued, calling once more.
From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
