From Middle English inward, from Old English inweard, corresponding to in + -ward.

• (British) IPA: /ˈɪnwəd/

inward

1. Situated on the inside; that is within, inner; belonging to the inside. [from 9th c.]
2. Not superficially obvious, inner, not expressed, especially relating to mental or spiritual faculties as opposed to external ones.
   • c. 1587–1588, [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 ↗:

     Noble and milde this Perſean ſeemes to be,
     If outward habit Iudge the inward man.

3. Moving or tending toward the inside.
4. (archaic, of a voice) Not directed toward the outside world, and thus quiet or indistinct.
5. (obsolete) Internal to a particular place or country; not foreign, domestic.
6. (obsolete) Secret, private, kept hidden.
7. (obsolete) Coming from one’s inmost or sincerest feelings; heartfelt, earnest.
8. (obsolete) Intimate, closely acquainted; familiar, close. [16th]
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 3, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC ↗:

     There is nothing can be added unto the daintinesse of Fulvius wives death, who was so inward with Augustus.

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

     All my inward friends abhorred me.

   • 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 ↗:

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

9. (obsolete) Devoted to spiritual matters, pious, devout.
10. (obsolete, of animals) Tame.
11. (obsolete, of medicines) Internal; applied through the stomach by being swallowed.

• French: intérieur
• German: innere
• Russian: вну́тренний
• Spanish: interior

inward (not comparable)

1. Towards the inside. [from 11th c.]
2. Towards one’s mind, thoughts, or internal self.
   • 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 ↗:

     So much the rather, thou Celestial Light, / Shine inward.

3. (obsolete) On the inside, within, inside.
4. (obsolete) In one’s mind, thoughts, or internal self.
5. (nautical) Towards home.

• withinward
• inwards

• outward
• outwards

• French: intérieur
• German: innen
• Russian: внутрь
• Spanish: adentro

inward (plural inwards)

1. (obsolete, chiefly, in the plural) That which is inward or within; the inner parts or organs of the body; the viscera.
   • 1653, Jeremy Taylor, “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 ↗:

     [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.

   • 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 ↗:

     Then sacrificing, laid the inwards and their fat.

2. (obsolete, chiefly, in the plural) The mental faculties or other characteristics not immediately apparent.
3. (obsolete) A familiar friend or acquaintance.
   • 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]:

     I was an inward of his.