inward
/ˈɪnwɚd/adjective, adverb
inward is spelled I-N-W-A-R-D: 6 letters and 2 syllables. It appears 2.3 times per million words in written English, the 17,813th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As an adjective, inward means “Situated on the inside; that is within, inner; belonging to the inside” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in inward?
| Letters | 6: I-N-W-A-R-D |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | 2.3 times per million words; the 17,813th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Same letters |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is inward?
Inward appears 2.3 times per million words in written English, the 17,813th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce inward?
- UK /ˈɪnwəd/
- US /ˈɪnwɚd/
- Australia /ˈɪnwəd/
Inward has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-us-inward.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
What rhymes with inward?
No other word on PlainSpell ends in the same sounds as inward (/ɪnwəɹd/).
Spelled with the same letters in another order: darwin.
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of inward
- more inward comparative
- most inward superlative
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does inward mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
adjective
- 1
Situated on the inside; that is within, inner; belonging to the inside.
- 2
Not superficially obvious, inner, not expressed, especially relating to mental or spiritual faculties as opposed to external ones.
- 3
Moving or tending toward the inside.
- 4
archaicNot directed toward the outside world, and thus quiet or indistinct.
- 5
obsoleteInternal to a particular place or country; not foreign, domestic.
- 6
obsoleteSecret, private, kept hidden.
- 7
obsoleteComing from one’s inmost or sincerest feelings; heartfelt, earnest.
- 8
obsoleteIntimate, closely acquainted; familiar, close.
adverb
- 1
Towards the inside.
- 2
Towards one’s mind, thoughts, or internal self.
- 3
obsoleteOn the inside, within, inside.
- 4
obsoleteIn one’s mind, thoughts, or internal self.
- 5
Towards home.
noun
- 1
obsoleteThat which is inward or within; the inner parts or organs of the body; the viscera.
- 2
obsoleteThe mental faculties or other characteristics not immediately apparent.
- 3
obsoleteA familiar friend or acquaintance.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Inward in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does inward come from?
From Middle English inward, from Old English inweard, corresponding to in + -ward.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).