Inner — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈi-nər/ in·ner

Meaning & Definition of Inner

Inner (adjective)

  1. situated farther in
  2. being near a center especially of influence
  3. of or relating to the mind or spirit

Inner (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. situated farther in

    "an inner area of the national park that is some distance from the nearest road"

    similar: inside, interior, internal, inward
    related: inmost, innermost, central, mid, middle, midmost
    opposite: exterior, external, outer, outside, outward
    near: outermost, outmost, surface

  2. of or relating to the mind

    "kept his inner life private"

    similar: cerebral, intellectual, interior, internal, mental, psychological
    related: cognitive, conscious, epistemic, knowing, noetic, psychic, telepathic, alert, brainy, bright, brilliant, clever, intelligent, quick-witted, rational, reasoning, sharp, sharp-witted, smart, thinking
    opposite: nonmental
    near: bodily, carnal, corporal, corporeal, fleshly, physical, somatic, unconscious, brainless, dense, doltish, dopey, fatuous, half-witted, mindless, obtuse, simple, slow-witted, stupid, thick, thickheaded, unintelligent, weak-minded, witless

Inner (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in middle, inside

    similar: inside, interior, middle, within, center, core, heart
    opposite: border, borderline, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, frame, fringe, hem, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, skirt, skirting, verge, ambit, brink, crest, curb, cusp, lip

Related Entry: Inner space (noun)

Inner space is a different word from Inner. The synonyms below are for inner space, not for inner.

  1. the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions

    "an intensely private individual, he treats his inner space as sacred ground that is off-limits to other people"

    similar: belly, blood, bone(s), bosom, breast, core, gut, heart, heartstrings, inside, quick, soul
    related: conscience, mind

Related Entry: Inner cities (noun)

Inner cities is a different word from Inner. The synonyms below are for inner cities, not for inner.

  1. as in downtowns, core cities

    similar: core cities, downtowns, midtowns, central cities, edge cities, garden cities, exurbs, suburbias, suburbs, urban sprawls, conurbations, boroughs, asphalt jungles, burgs, cities, cosmopolises, megacities, megalopolises, metropolises, municipalities, towns

Related Entry: Inner city (noun)

Inner city is a different word from Inner. The synonyms below are for inner city, not for inner.

  1. as in downtown, core city

    similar: core city, downtown, midtown, central city, edge city, garden city, exurb, suburb, suburbia, urban sprawl, conurbation, borough, asphalt jungle, burg, city, cosmopolis, megacity, megalopolis, metropolis, municipality, town

Related Entry: Inner light (noun)

Inner light is a different word from Inner. The synonyms below are for inner light, not for inner.

  1. as in light, nature

    similar: light, nature, orgone, soul, spirit, aura, chi, energy, ki, vibe(s), vibration(s), élan vital, life, lifeblood, Shakti, world soul, karma, mana

Related Entry: Inner lights (noun)

Inner lights is a different word from Inner. The synonyms below are for inner lights, not for inner.

  1. as in lights, natures

    similar: lights, natures, orgones, souls, spirits, auras, chis, energies, kis, vibes, vibrations, lifebloods, lives, Shaktis, world souls, karmas, manas

Related Entry: Inner-directed (adjective)

Inner-directed is a different word from Inner. The synonyms below are for inner-directed, not for inner.

  1. as in egotistic, self-oriented

    similar: egocentric, egoistic, egomaniacal, egotistic, narcissistic, self-absorbed, self-centered, self-concerned, self-infatuated, self-interested, self-involved, selfish, self-loving, self-obsessed, self-oriented, self-preoccupied, self-regarding, self-seeking, self-serving, solipsistic, complacent, conceited, overweening, pompous, prideful, proud, self-complacent, self-conceited, self-contented, self-directed, self-glorifying, self-important, self-indulgent, self-opinionated, self-pleased, self-satisfied, smug, vain, vainglorious
    opposite: self-forgetful, self-forgetting, selfless, unselfish, altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, charitable, generous, greathearted, humanitarian, magnanimous, philanthropic, self-denying, self-giving, self-sacrificing, other-directed, diffident, self-doubting, self-flagellating, self-questioning, self-reflective

Related Entry: Inner spaces (noun)

Inner spaces is a different word from Inner. The synonyms below are for inner spaces, not for inner.

  1. the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions

    "an intensely private individual, he treats his inner space as sacred ground that is off-limits to other people"

    similar: bellies, blood, bones, bosoms, breasts, cores, guts, hearts, heartstrings, insides, quicks, souls
    related: consciences, minds

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Inner

The most common words with a similar meaning to Inner:

inside, interior, internal, inward, cerebral, intellectual, mental, psychological, middle, within, center, core, heart

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Inner

Words with the opposite meaning of Inner:

exterior, external, outer, outside, outward, nonmental, border, borderline, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, frame, fringe, hem, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, skirt, skirting, verge, ambit, brink, crest

Related Words for Inner

inmost, innermost, central, mid, midmost, cognitive, conscious, epistemic, knowing, noetic, psychic, telepathic, alert, brainy, bright, brilliant, clever, intelligent, quick-witted, rational, reasoning, sharp, sharp-witted, smart, thinking

Near Antonyms of Inner

outermost, outmost, surface, bodily, carnal, corporal, corporeal, fleshly, physical, somatic, unconscious, brainless, dense, doltish, dopey, fatuous, half-witted, mindless, obtuse, simple, slow-witted, stupid, thick, thickheaded, unintelligent, weak-minded, witless

Word Forms of Inner

Derived words: inner (noun), innerly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Inner

Middle English, from Old English innera, comparative of inne within

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Inner

Words & Phrases Containing Inner

inner city, inner-directed, inner ear, inner light, inner planet, inner product, inner space, inner tube

Frequently Asked Questions about Inner

What does "Inner" mean?

"Inner" means situated farther in. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: situated farther in. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Inner"?

Other words for "Inner" include inside, interior, internal, inward, cerebral, intellectual, mental and psychological. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Inner" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Inner"?

There are 38 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Inner". Common alternatives include inside, interior, internal, inward, cerebral, intellectual, mental, psychological, middle and within.

What is the opposite of "Inner"?

Antonyms of "Inner" include exterior, external, outer, outside, outward, nonmental, border and borderline. Near antonyms include outermost, outmost, surface and bodily.

How do you use "Inner" in a sentence?

Examples of "Inner" in a sentence: "an inner area of the national park that is some distance from the nearest road"; "kept his inner life private".

Is "Inner" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Inner" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Inner" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Inner" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Inner"?

"Inner" is pronounced /ˈi-nər/ and divided into syllables as in·ner.