introverts
|in-tro-verts|
🇺🇸
/ˈɪn.trə.vɝts/
🇬🇧
/ˈɪn.trə.vɜːts/
(introvert)
inward focus
Etymology
'introvert' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'introvertere', where 'intro-' meant 'inward' and 'vertere' meant 'to turn'.
'introvert' changed from the Latin verb 'introvertere' (Medieval/Late Latin) and entered English in the 19th century via psychological/medical usage, becoming the noun and adjective 'introvert/introverted' in modern English.
Initially, it referred literally to 'turning inward'; over time it came to mean a person who is inward-directed or reserved, and the psychological sense stabilized in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is reserved or shy and who tends to be energized by solitary activities rather than social interaction.
Introverts often prefer quiet evenings at home to large social gatherings.
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Noun 2
a person who focuses inward on their own thoughts and feelings rather than seeking external stimulation.
Many introverts process ideas internally before speaking.
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Verb 1
third-person singular present tense of 'introvert' — to make oneself or become inward-looking or withdrawn.
When nervous, he introverts and avoids making small talk.
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Last updated: 2025/10/07 01:56