inward

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inward

/ˈɪnwəd/ UK
/ˈɪnwɚd/ Canada, US
/ˈɪnwəd/ Australia

Sounds like n-word

Where it comes from

From Middle English inward, from Old English inweard, corresponding to in + -ward.

adjective more inward · most inward

Situated on the inside; that is within, inner; belonging to the inside.
Similar: interior, internal
Not superficially obvious, inner, not expressed, especially relating to mental or spiritual faculties as opposed to external ones. Noble and milde this Perſean ſeemes to be, If outward habit Iudge the inward man.
Similar: inner, private
Moving or tending toward the inside.
Similar: introitive
archaic, of a voice Not directed toward the outside world, and thus quiet or indistinct.
Similar: faint
obsolete Internal to a particular place or country; not foreign, domestic.
Similar: home, inland, intranational
obsolete Secret, private, kept hidden.
Similar: obfuscated, secluded, veiled, covered, concealed, dark, dern, hidden, invisible, inward, latent, nondisplayed
obsolete Coming from one’s inmost or sincerest feelings; heartfelt, earnest.
Similar: genuine, sincere
obsolete Intimate, closely acquainted; familiar, close. There is nothing can be added unto the daintinesse of Fulvius wives death, who was so inward with Augustus.
Similar: chummy, friendly, thick
obsolete Devoted to spiritual matters, pious, devout.
Similar: devoutful, heavenly-minded, piteous, Allah-fearing, devout, frum, godfearing, inward, godly, observant, pious, practicing
obsolete, of animals Tame.
Similar: docile, domesticated
obsolete, of medicines Internal; applied through the stomach by being swallowed.

adverb

not comparable Towards the inside.
not comparable Towards one’s mind, thoughts, or internal self. So much the rather, thou Celestial Light, / Shine inward.
not comparable, obsolete On the inside, within, inside.
not comparable, obsolete In one’s mind, thoughts, or internal self.
not comparable Towards home.

Similar: withinward, inwards · Opposite: outward, outwards

noun inwards

in plural, obsolete That which is inward or within; the inner parts or organs of the body; the viscera. [T]his man is a servant of the eyes of men, and offers parchment or a white skin in sacrifice, but the flesh and the inwards he leaves to be consumed by a stranger fire.
in plural, obsolete The mental faculties or other characteristics not immediately apparent.
obsolete A familiar friend or acquaintance. I was an inward of his.

Thesaurus

Closest in meaning: interior, inner, innermost, inmost, indwelling, inbound, private, incoming, secret, in, internal, arriving, self-whispered, internally, inside, outside

adverb

Similar: withinward, inwards · Opposite: outward, outwards

Translations

Every language

adj on inside

Español	interior
Français	intérieur
Deutsch	innere
Ελληνικά	έσω éso, εσώτερος esóteros
Русский	вну́тренний vnútrennij

adv toward the inside

Español	adentro
Français	vers l'intérieur
Deutsch	nach innen
Русский	внутрь vnutrʹ

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MLA

"inward." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/inward. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

inward. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/inward

Chicago

"inward." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/inward.

BibTeX

@misc{inward_2026,
  title = {inward},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/inward},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}