Inward Meaning
/ˈɪnwəd/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjSituated on the inside; that is within, inner; belonging to the inside.
adjNot superficially obvious, inner, not expressed, especially relating to mental or spiritual faculties as opposed to external ones.
Sentence Examples
Hands reveal our inward emotions.
The Japanese are often criticized for being inward looking and insufficiently international in their outlook.
Those who look outward dream, but those who look inward awaken.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The monk practiced ____ reflection, focusing on his inner thoughts rather than outside events.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The door opens ____, so you need to pull it toward you to enter the small and dimly lit room.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English inward, from Old English inweard, corresponding to in + -ward.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Noble and milde this Perſean ſeemes to be,
If outward habit Iudge the inward man."
— c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii:
"There is nothing can be added unto the daintinesse of Fulvius wives death, who was so inward with Augustus."
— 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 3, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
"All my inward friends abhorred me."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Job 19:19:
"He had had occasion, by one very inward with him, to know in part the discourse of his life."
— a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC:
"So much the rather, thou Celestial Light, / Shine inward."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book III”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The monk practiced ____ reflection, focusing on his inner thoughts rather than outside events.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The door opens ____, so you need to pull it toward you to enter the small and dimly lit room.