DictionaryAI

internal

adjective
Sayin-TUR-nuhl/ɪnˈtɝ.nəl/UK/ɪnˈtɜː.nəl/

8 meanings of internal

Practice

  1. 1
    insideadjective
    On the inside of something, not on the outside.

    Like the filling inside a pie: you can't see it from the outside, but it's there.

    The phone's internal parts are easy to damage if you drop it.

    An internal door connects the kitchen to the garage.

    Similarinner, inside, interior, inward

    Oppositeexternal, outer, outside, exterior

  2. 2
    within a companyadjective
    About the private business of a company, not shared with people outside it.

    The memo was internal, so workers could not share it with reporters.

    An internal report showed the company knew about the problem years ago.

    Similarin-house, private, confidential

    Oppositeexternal, public

  3. 3
    within a countryadjective
    About what happens inside a country, not its dealings with other countries.

    The president said the protests were an internal matter.

    The new law deals with internal trade between the country's regions.

    Similardomestic

    Oppositeforeign, external, international

  4. 4
    in the bodyadjective
    Inside your body, or inside an animal or plant, not on the outside.

    The doctor checked him for internal bleeding after the crash.

    Some internal organs, like the liver, can repair themselves.

    Note
  5. 5
    in the mindadjective
    Felt or happening inside your mind, not shown to other people.

    Like a song playing in your head that no one else can hear.

    She fought an internal battle before deciding to apologize.

    His calm face hid the internal worry he felt about the test.

    Similarinner, inward, private, unspoken

    Oppositeoutward, external

  6. 6
    inner natureadjective
    About the true nature of something itself, not things outside it.

    The argument has an internal problem: its two main points cannot both be true.

    The game follows its own internal rules, which players learn as they go.

    Similarinherent, intrinsic

    Oppositeexternal, extrinsic

Less common meanings

  1. 7
    swallowedadjective
    Meant to be swallowed and work inside the body, like a medicine you drink.

    This medicine is for internal use only, so never put it on your skin.

    The label on the bottle says the oil is not for internal use.

    UsageOn a label, not for internal use means do not swallow it.

    Similaroral

    Oppositeexternal, topical

    Note
  2. 8
    enrolled studentadjectiveBritish
    Studying at a university in person, not just taking its exams from outside.

    She enrolled as an internal student and attends lectures every week.

    Internal students go to classes on campus, but external students study at home and only come in for the exams.

    Oppositeexternal

    Note

Practice

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

Origin

From later Latin internalis, meaning "of the inner part," from Latin internus, "inward."

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts