inward

/'inwəd/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
inward

The child turned her inward thoughts into a private diary entry.

Definition
  1. Adjective:

    • Directed or moving toward the inside or center: Describes motion or orientation that goes from the outside toward the interior or core of something.
    • Existing within the mind or spirit; mental or spiritual: Relating to private thoughts, feelings, or internal states rather than external things.
  2. Adverb (also spelled inwards):

    • Toward the inside: Indicates movement or direction into or toward the interior of something.
    • Toward the mind, spirit, or self: Indicates a focus on one's inner thoughts or feelings.
Usage Examples
  • Adjective:

    • The inward flow of air helps cool the engine. (The movement of air toward the inside serves to cool the engine.)
    • She is a person of deep inward reflection. (She is a person who engages in profound mental or spiritual contemplation.)
  • Adverb:

    • The door opens inward. (The door swings open toward the inside of the room.)
    • He turned his thoughts inward to find peace. (He directed his focus toward his own mind and feelings to find peace.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Inward investment": (Economic term) Investment of money from outside a country or region into its businesses and infrastructure.

    • The government is seeking to encourage inward investment.
  • "Inward-looking": (Adjective) Concentrating on one's own internal affairs, thoughts, or group; not interested in or open to external ideas.

    • The company became too inward-looking and failed to notice market changes.
Variants and Related Words
  • Inwards: (Adverb) An alternative spelling for the adverb form of 'inward'.

    • Fold the edges inwards.
  • Inwardness: (Noun) The quality of being concerned with inner thought and feeling; depth of character.

    • The inwardness of her poetry is remarkable.
  • Inwardly: (Adverb) In one's mind or spirit; privately.

    • He was inwardly grateful for their help.
Synonyms
  • Adjective (physical): Inbound, incoming, interior.
  • Adjective (mental): Inner, internal, mental, spiritual, private.
  • Adverb: Inside, within, interiorly.
Antonyms
  • Adjective: Outward, external, exterior.
  • Adverb: Outward, outwards, outside.
Related Phrases and Idioms
  • To turn inward: To become preoccupied with one's own thoughts and feelings, often withdrawing from the external world.

    • After the loss, she turned inward for a long time.
  • An inward journey: A process of self-exploration and examination of one's own mind and spirit.

    • Meditation can be a powerful tool for an inward journey.
inward

The child turned her inward thoughts into a private diary entry.

Adjective
  1. directed or moving inward or toward a center
    • the inbound train
    • inward flood of capital
  2. relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
    • a concern with inward reflections
Adverb
  1. to or toward the inside of
    • come in
    • smash in the door
  2. toward the center or interior
    • move the needle further inwards!