Inward

UK: /ˈɪnwə^rd/ US: /ˈɪnwɚd/ ,(in′wərd)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•ward /ˈɪnwɚd/   adv. Also, ˈin•wards. 

1. toward the inside, interior, or center, as of a place, space, or body:
   The window swung inward on its hinges.
2. into or toward the mind or soul:
   Let us turn our thoughts inward.

adj. 

3. proceeding or directed toward the inside or interior.
4. located within or in or on the inside;
   inner;
   relating to the inside or inner part.
5. mental or spiritual;
   inner:
   inward thoughts.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•ward  (in′wərd), adv. 

Also, in′wards. 
1. toward the inside, interior, or center, as of a place, space, or body.
2. into or toward the mind or soul:
   He turned his thoughts inward.
3. [Obs.]
   • on the inside or interior.
   • in the mind or soul;
     mentally or spiritually.

adj. 

4. proceeding or directed toward the inside or interior.
5. situated within or in or on the inside;
   inner;
   internal:
   an inward room.
6. pertaining to the inside or inner part.
7. located within the body:
   the inward parts.
8. pertaining to the inside of the body:
   inward convulsions.
9. inland:
   inward passage.
10. mental or spiritual;
    inner:
    inward peace.
11. muffled or indistinct, as the voice.
12. private or secret.
13. closely personal;
    intimate.
14. [Archaic.] pertaining to the homeland;
    domestic.

n. 

15. the inward or internal part;
    the inside.
16. inwards, the inward parts of the body;
    entrails;
    innards.

• bef. 900; Middle English; Old English inweard. See in, -ward

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

inward / ˈɪnwəd/ adjective

1. going or directed towards the middle of or into something
2. situated within; inside
3. of, relating to, or existing in the mind or spirit: inward meditation
4. of one's own country or a specific country: inward investment

adverb

1. a variant of inwards1

noun

1. the inward part; inside

ˈinwardness noun