introvert

UK: /ˈɪntrəvɜː^rt/

US: /ˈɪntrəˌvɝt/

US: (n., adj. in′trə vûrt′; v. in′trə vûrt′)

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

in•tro•vert /ˈɪntrəˌvɜrt/   n. [countable]

1. a shy or retiring person.

in•tro•ver•sion /ˌɪntrəˈvɜrʒən, -ʃən/  n. [uncountable]
in•tro•vert•ed, adj. See -vert-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•tro•vert  (n., adj. in′trə vûrt′;v. in′trə vûrt′), n. 

1. a shy person.
2. Psychology a person characterized by concern primarily with his or her own thoughts and feelings (opposed to extrovert).
3. Zoology a part that is or can be introverted.

adj. 

4. Psychology marked by introversion.

v.t. 

5. to turn inward:
   to introvert one's anger.
6. Psychology to direct (the mind, one's interest, etc.) partly to things within the self.
7. Zoology, Anatomy [Anat., Zool.] to turn (a hollow, cylindrical structure) in on itself;
   invaginate.

• intro- + (in)vert 1660–70

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

introvert noun / ˈɪntrəˌvɜːt/

1. a person prone to introversion

adjective / ˈɪntrəˌvɜːt/

1. Also: introverted characterized by introversion

verb / ˌɪntrəˈvɜːt/

1. (transitive) to turn (a hollow organ or part) inside out

Compare extrovertEtymology: 17th Century: see intro-, invert