the examination of one's own thoughts, impressions, and feelings, esp for long periods
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
in•tro•spec•tion /ˌɪntrəˈspɛkʃən/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- the habit or act of studying one's own mental and emotional state and processes.
in•tro•spec•tion
(in′trə spek′shən),USA pronunciation n.
in′tro•spec′tion•al, adj.
in′tro•spec′tion•ist, n., adj.
- observation or examination of one's own mental and emotional state, mental processes, etc.;
the act of looking within oneself. - the tendency or disposition to do this.
- SociologySee sympathetic introspection.
- Latin intrōspect(us), past participle of intrōspicere to look within (equivalent. to intrō- intro- + spec(ere) to look + -tus past participle suffix) + -ion
- 1670–80
in′tro•spec′tion•ist, n., adj.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged self-examination, soul-searching.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'introspection' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Chekhovian
- idiotropic
- interiorism
- intro
- introspect
- inwardness
- meditate
- meditation
- pratyahara
- romantic
- sympathetic introspection