inward

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɪnwəd/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

inward (comparative more inward, superlative most inward)

1. Situated on the inside; that is within, inner; belonging to the inside. [from 9th c.]
2. (obsolete) Intimate, closely acquainted; familiar. [16th-17th c.]
   • 1603, John Florio, transl.; Michel de Montaigne, The Essayes, […], printed at London: […] Edward Blount […], OCLC 946730821:
     , II.3:

     There is nothing can be added unto the daintinesse of Fulvius wives death, who was so inward with Augustus.

   • Bible, Job xix. 19

     All my inward friends abhorred me.

   • Sir Philip Sidney

     He had had occasion, by one very inward with him, to know in part the discourse of his life.

Adverb

inward (comparative more inward, superlative most inward)

1. Towards the inside. [from 11th c.]

   So much the rather, thou Celestial Light, Shine inward. — Milton.

Noun

inward (plural inwards)

1. (obsolete, chiefly in the plural) That which is inward or within; the inner parts or organs of the body; the viscera.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Jeremy Taylor to this entry?)

   • Milton

     Then sacrificing, laid the inwards and their fat.

2. (obsolete, chiefly in the plural) The mental faculties.
3. (obsolete) A familiar friend or acquaintance.
   • Shakespeare

     I was an inward of his.

Anagrams

• Darwin, darwin, draw in, drawin', indraw

Alternative forms

• inwart, ynward, inworde, inwarde, ynvarde, inword, inewarde

Etymology

From Old English inweard; equivalent to in +‎ -ward.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈinward/, /ˈinwaːrd/

Adverb

inward

1. inwards, to the interior, especially referring to:
   1. One's physical existence or body
   2. One's mental state or soul
2. While located within the inside of an entity, especially referring to:
   1. One's physical existence or body
   2. One's mental state or soul

Adjective

inward (superlative ynwardest)

1. inside, inward, in the interior; the following special senses exist:
   1. For the inside; internal
   2. religious, inside the mind
2. emotionally powerful, emotionally true
3. unknown, esoteric

Noun

inward (plural inwardes)

1. The interior of a given thing
2. innards; guts
3. reasoning, deductive ability

Preposition

inward

1. To the inside

See also

• outward