inside

Sayin-SYD/ɪnˈsaɪd/

As an adjectiveIN-syd

Noun pluralinsides

16 meanings of inside

Practice

1
withinpreposition
In or into the inner part of something, or within its walls or edges.
Like a nut hidden inside its shell.
The keys are inside the drawer near the back.
She found a note tucked inside the old book.
UsageUsually just inside the drawer, without of.
Similarwithin, in
Oppositeoutside
2
adverb
In or into a building, a room, or the inner part of something.
Like a cat that runs inside when it gets cold.
It started to rain, so we went inside.
Stay inside until the storm passes.
UsageSay go inside or stay inside.
3
nouncountable
The inner part of something, not its outer part.
Like the soft part of bread under the crust.
The inside of the box was painted red.
She cleaned the inside until it shone.
UsageSay the inside of the box. Inside out means the inner side is on the outside.
Similarinterior
Oppositeoutside, exterior, surface
Note
4
inner sideadjective
On the inner side or part of something, closer to the middle.
Like the side of a cup that touches the drink.
The inside wall of the tunnel was damp.
He wrote his name on the inside cover.
5
in your heartadverb
Deep in your heart or mind, without showing it to others.
Like a secret kept locked in a box that nobody can see.
Inside, she felt proud, even though she said nothing.
He laughed along with the joke, but inside he was hurting.
UsageOften after but: she smiled, but inside she was sad.
Similarinwardly, privately, secretly, internally
Oppositeoutwardly, openly
6
from the groupadjective
Done by or coming from someone within a group or company.
Like a secret shared only by people on the team.
The robbery looked like an inside job.
She got the news through an inside contact.
UsageOften in an inside job or inside information.
Similarinternal, in-house
Oppositeoutside, external
Note
7
secret knowledgenounslanguncountable
Secret facts known only to people who are closely involved.
Like knowing a secret that only the team knows.
She gave me the inside on the merger before anyone else knew.
Reporters paid well for the inside on the scandal.
UsageSay the inside on something: she gave me the inside on it.
Similarlowdown, scoop, dope
Note

Less common meanings

8
preposition
In less than a certain amount of time.
Like finishing a race before the clock runs out.
The runners finished inside an hour.
We can fix it inside a week.
UsageUse it with a time: we can fix it inside a week.
Similarwithin, under
Note
9
gutsnouncolloquialusually plural
The organs and guts found within the body.
Like the stuffing packed inside a soft toy.
My insides hurt after eating too much candy.
The cold water made her insides feel like ice.
UsageSay my insides hurt. Insides is informal; internal organs is more formal.
Similarguts, stomach, innards, belly, bowels
10
in prisonadverbcolloquial
In or into prison.
Like being kept behind locked doors, away from everyone outside.
He spent three years inside before getting out.
Her brother is inside for robbery.
UsageOften with a time: three years inside.
Oppositeout
Note
11
inner curvenoun
The shorter, inner edge of a curved track or road.
Like the shorter path along the inner edge when you walk around a circle.
The runner cut to the inside to save distance.
She passed two cars on the inside of the bend.
UsageSay pass on the inside of the bend.
Oppositeoutside
12
baseballadjective
Thrown close to the batter's side of home plate.
Like a ball thrown close to your body instead of far out in front of you.
The pitcher threw an inside fastball that backed him off the plate.
That last pitch was too far inside to swing at.
Oppositeoutside
Note
13
curb laneadjectiveUK
On or toward the side of the road nearest the edge.
Like the lane that sits right next to the sidewalk.
The inside lane was full of slow traffic.
Buses pull into the inside lane at every stop.
Oppositeoutside
14
curb sidenounUK
The side of the road closest to the edge, where cars pull over.
Like the lane closest to the sidewalk, where you stop your car.
He pulled over to the inside to let the ambulance pass.
Cyclists should ride on the inside, near the curb.
Oppositeoutside
Note
15
coach passengernoundatedUKcountable
A person riding within a coach, not on top of it.
So down thy hill, romantic Ashbourne, glides / The Derby dilly, carrying three insides.
1798, John Hookham Frere, George CanningHere, insides means passengers riding inside the coach.
So, what between Mr. Dowler's stories, and Mrs. Dowler's charms, and Mr. Pickwick's good humour, and Mr. Winkle's good listening, the insides contrived to be very companionable all the way.
1836, Charles Dickens, The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club
Oppositeoutside
Note
16
adjective
Of a wife or child: part of a man's lawful family and home, not an 'outside' one.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of inside apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Middle English ynneside, made from in- plus side.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Inside derives from Middle English ynneside. en.wiktionary.org
Inside is formed from in- plus side. en.wiktionary.org