in·side
(ˌ)in-ˈsīd 
ˈin-ˌsīd
ˈin-ˌsīd
1
2
: an inner side or surface
3
a
: a position of power, trust, or familiarity
only someone on the inside could have told
b
: confidential information
has the inside on what happened at the convention
4
: the area nearest a specified or implied point of reference: such as
a
: the side of home plate nearest the batter
b
: the middle portion of a playing area
c
: the area near or underneath the basket in basketball
1
: on the inner side
2
: in or into the interior
stayed inside during the storm
3
: to or on the inside
4
: in prison
1
: of, relating to, or being on or near the inside
an inside pitch
2
a
: relating or known to a select group
inside information
an inside joke
1
a
: in or into or as if in or into the interior of
waited inside the church
b
: on the inner side of
just inside the door
2
: within
inside an hour
Examples of inside in a Sentence
Noun
The inside of the church is quite beautiful.
I've never seen the inside of a computer before.
Adverb
I cleaned my car inside and out.
The candy is chewy inside.
We went inside during the storm.
Step inside and look at our menu.
He got put inside for burglary.
Adjective
the inside edge of her foot
He gave us an inside view of the situation.
I got the inside story from a friend who works there.
Preposition
We waited inside the store.
Several people were trapped inside the burning building.
She kept her hands inside her pockets.
His feelings were building up inside him.
He lives inside the city limits.
Sources inside the company indicate that there are disagreements about the change in management.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lisa Grainger, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
Its two-liter capacity is divided into several compartments, including a back slip pocket, an exterior zippered pocket, and several slip and zippered pockets on its inside, too.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026
And through the dark, winding path of grief came a quaint, bright pink house nestled between a local home goods store and a vintage clothing shop on Parkville’s historic Main Street — creating a stark contrast from the deep sorrow Kincaid and her husband, Michael, felt inside.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Kevin Sherrington
feb. 16, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
One of the biggest uncertainties defensively is what will happen at inside linebacker, where Strnad and Alex Singleton are free agents and Greenlaw is under contract but would not be difficult to move on from.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
The season 45 champion is a true triple threat — with athleticism, charm, and charisma wrapped inside the skin of a cold-blooded assassin.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inside
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Sarah designed its six double rooms around one enormous inside-outside living space.
—Lisa Grainger, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
Its two-liter capacity is divided into several compartments, including a back slip pocket, an exterior zippered pocket, and several slip and zippered pockets on its inside, too.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Adverb
The rebar inside looked like rusted braces without teeth.
—Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026
And through the dark, winding path of grief came a quaint, bright pink house nestled between a local home goods store and a vintage clothing shop on Parkville’s historic Main Street — creating a stark contrast from the deep sorrow Kincaid and her husband, Michael, felt inside.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Just another inside story about the business.
—Kevin Sherrington
feb. 16, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
One of the biggest uncertainties defensively is what will happen at inside linebacker, where Strnad and Alex Singleton are free agents and Greenlaw is under contract but would not be difficult to move on from.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
Preposition
Bad Bunny pretaped the segment inside the casita, faux-falling through the roof and quite literally crashing a family gathering before exiting to the remainder of the performance.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
The season 45 champion is a true triple threat — with athleticism, charm, and charisma wrapped inside the skin of a cold-blooded assassin.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inside
Cite this Entry
“Inside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inside. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inside
1 of 4 noun
in·side
(ˈ)in-ˈsīd
ˈin-ˌsīd
ˈin-ˌsīd
1
: an inner side or surface
2
a
: an interior or internal part
b
: inward nature, thoughts, or feeling
c
: entrails
—usually used in plural
inside
2 of 4 adjective1
: of, relating to, or being on or near the inside
an inside wall
2
: relating or known to a special group of people
inside information
inside
3 of 4 preposition1
a
: in or into the interior of
they are inside the house
b
: on the inner side of
put the dot inside the curve
2
: before the end of : within
inside an hour
inside
4 of 4 adverb1
: on the inside
the car is clean inside
2
: in or into the interior
went inside
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
