Internal — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /in-ˈtər-nᵊl/ in·ter·nal

Meaning & Definition of Internal

Internal (adjective)

  1. existing or situated within the limits or surface of something
  2. situated near the inside of the body
  3. situated on the side toward the median plane of the body

Internal (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. situated farther in

    "somehow grave robbers hadn't managed to locate and enter the internal chambers of the Egyptian tomb"

    similar: inner, inside, interior, 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

    "the never-ending internal monologue of the novel's main character"

    similar: cerebral, inner, intellectual, interior, 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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Internal

The most common words with a similar meaning to Internal:

inner, inside, interior, inward, cerebral, intellectual, mental, psychological

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Internal

Words with the opposite meaning of Internal:

exterior, external, outer, outside, outward, nonmental

Related Words for Internal

inmost, innermost, central, mid, middle, 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 Internal

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 Internal

Derived words: internality (noun), internally (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Internal

Middle English internalle, from Latin internus; akin to Latin inter between

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Internal

Words & Phrases Containing Internal

internal combustion engine, internal medicine, internal respiration, internal rhyme, internal secretion, internal bleeding, internal clock, the Internal Revenue Service

Frequently Asked Questions about Internal

What does "Internal" mean?

"Internal" means existing or situated within the limits or surface of something. As an adjective, it is defined as: existing or situated within the limits or surface of something. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Internal"?

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

What are different ways to say "Internal"?

There are 34 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Internal". Common alternatives include inner, inside, interior, inward, cerebral, intellectual, mental and psychological.

What is the opposite of "Internal"?

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

How do you use "Internal" in a sentence?

Examples of "Internal" in a sentence: "somehow grave robbers hadn't managed to locate and enter the internal chambers of the Egyptian tomb"; "the never-ending internal monologue of the novel's main character".

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

"Internal" is an adjective.

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

As a B2-level word, "Internal" 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+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Internal"?

"Internal" is pronounced /in-ˈtər-nᵊl/ and divided into syllables as in·ter·nal.