inward

American  

[in-werd] / ˈɪn wərd /

adverb

1. toward the inside, interior, or center, as of a place, space, or body.

2. into or toward the mind or soul.

   He turned his thoughts inward.

3. Obsolete.

   1. on the inside or interior.

   2. in the mind or soul; mentally or spiritually.

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adjective

1. proceeding or directed toward the inside or interior.

2. situated within or in or on the inside; inner; internal.

   an inward room.

3. pertaining to the inside or inner part.

4. located within the body.

   the inward parts.

5. pertaining to the inside of the body.

   inward convulsions.

6. inland.

   inward passage.

7. mental or spiritual; inner.

   inward peace.

8. muffled or indistinct, as the voice.

9. private or secret.

10. closely personal; intimate.

11. Archaic. pertaining to the homeland; domestic.

noun

1. the inward or internal part; the inside.

2. inwards, the inward parts of the body; entrails; innards.

inward British  

/ ˈɪnwəd /

adjective

1. going or directed towards the middle of or into something

2. situated within; inside

3. of, relating to, or existing in the mind or spirit

   inward meditation

4. of one's own country or a specific country

   inward investment

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adverb

1. a variant of inwards

noun

1. the inward part; inside

Other Word Forms

• inwardness noun

Etymology

Origin of inward

before 900; Middle English; Old English inweard. See in, -ward

Example Sentences

Malhotra said West Asia contributes about one-sixth of India’s exports, one-fifth of imports, half of crude oil imports and nearly two-fifths of inward remittances.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

"You have to isolate your muscles and the noise around you... and really focus inward," she said.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Heavy metals such as iron sink inward and create the core, while lighter material remains above and eventually becomes the mantle and later the crust.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

While many people in your position might solely be looking inward, you are also looking the opposite direction.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

My chest sinks inward a bit, and I look down at the kitchen floor.

From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles

Related Words

• inbound