Introspection Meaning
/ɪntɹəˈspɛkʃən/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA looking inward; specifically, the act or process of self-examination, or inspection of one's own thoughts and feelings; the cognition which the mind has of its own acts and states.
nounClipping of type introspection.
Sentence Examples
Daily introspection helped her grow.
Introspection revealed her true feelings.
A quiet walk is excellent for self-reflection and introspection.
CEFR Practice Quiz
After the argument, he spent time in ____ to understand his own feelings.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
After the failure of his project, he spent several days in quiet ____ to understand his mistakes.
Word Origin & History
From Latin intrōspectiō, noun of action (with -iō) from past-participle (intrōspectus) stem of intrōspiciō (“to look into, look at, examine, observe attentively”), from intro- (“inward”) + speciō, spiciō (“to look at”). By surface analysis, introspect + -ion.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"If Adam Wheeler gave it some thought, or if someone were to prompt him with the right questions, he could put words around the fact that his existence doesn't bring him any satisfaction. He would discover, on introspection, that he's nowhere close, actually, to "happy", and that there is something vast and significant missing from his life. But he doesn't give it any thought. There's a void between him and those questions."
— 2019 April 10, qntm, “CASE HATE RED”, in There Is No Antimemetics Division, →ISBN, page 133:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
After the argument, he spent time in ____ to understand his own feelings.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
After the failure of his project, he spent several days in quiet ____ to understand his mistakes.