inward

comparative more inward · superlative most inward

1. Situated on the inside; that is within, inner; belonging to the inside.First known use 9th c.

   Synonyms: interior, internal

2. 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.

   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

   Synonyms: inner, private

3. Moving or tending toward the inside.

   Synonyms: introitive

4. archaicNot directed toward the outside world, and thus quiet or indistinct.

   Synonyms: faint

5. obsoleteInternal to a particular place or country; not foreign, domestic.

   Synonyms: home, inland, intranational

6. obsoleteSecret, private, kept hidden.

   Synonyms: obfuscated, secluded, veiled, covered, concealed, dark, dern, hidden

7. obsoleteComing from one’s inmost or sincerest feelings; heartfelt, earnest.

   Synonyms: genuine, sincere

8. obsoleteIntimate, closely acquainted; familiar, close.First known use 16th–17th c.

   All my inward friends abhorred me.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Job 19:19

   2 more examples

   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

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

   The New Arcadia

   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

   Synonyms: chummy, friendly, thick

9. obsoleteDevoted to spiritual matters, pious, devout.

   Synonyms: devoutful, heavenly-minded, piteous, Allah-fearing, devout, devoutful, frum, godfearing

10. obsoleteTame.

    Synonyms: docile, domesticated

11. obsoleteInternal; applied through the stomach by being swallowed.

1. not comparableTowards the inside.First known use 11th c.
2. not comparableTowards one’s mind, thoughts, or internal self.

   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

   2 more examples

   You also may experience feelings of guilt, which is anger turned inward on yourself.

   2005, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, David Kessler, On Grief and Grieving, →ISBN, page 16

   By this logic, it makes more sense to turn inward than to make oneself vulnerable, to nihilistically maxx rather than actually encounter the other.

   2026 March 3, Christine Emba, “The Reason Gen Z Isn’t Dating”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 03 Mar 2026

3. not comparableobsoleteOn the inside, within, inside.
4. not comparableobsoleteIn one’s mind, thoughts, or internal self.
5. not comparablenauticalTowards home.

plural inwards

1. in pluralobsoleteThat which is inward or within; the inner parts or organs of the body; the viscera.

   Then sacrificing, laid the inwards and their fat.

   1667, John Milton, “Book X”, 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

   1 more example

   [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.

   1653, “Twenty-five Sermons Preached at Golden Grove; Being for the Winter Half-year, […]: Sermon XII. Of Lukewarmness and Zeal; or, Spiritual Fervour. Part I.”, in Reginald Heber, editor, The Whole Works of the Right Rev. Jeremy Taylor, D.D. […], volume V, London: Ogle, Duncan, and Co. […]; and Richard Priestley, […], published 1822, →OCLC, page 176

2. in pluralobsoleteThe mental faculties or other characteristics not immediately apparent.
3. obsoleteA familiar friend or acquaintance.

   I was an inward of his.

   c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]