interior

1 of 2

adjective

in·​te·​ri·​or in-ˈtir-ē-ər How to pronounce interior (audio)
Synonyms of interiornext
1
: lying, occurring, or functioning within the limiting boundaries : inner
an interior point of a triangle
2
: belonging to mental or spiritual life
a simple interior piety
3
: belonging to the inner constitution or concealed nature of something
interior meaning of a poem
4
: lying away or remote from the border or shore
interiorly
in-ˈtir-ē-ər-lē How to pronounce interior (audio)
adverb

interior

2 of 2

noun

1
: the inner or spiritual nature : character
2
: the interior part (as of a country or island)
3
: the internal or inner part of a thing : inside
4
: the internal affairs of a state or nation
5
: a representation (as in a play or movie) of the interior of a building

Synonyms of interior

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Adjective

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of interior in a Sentence

Adjective a large car with lots of interior room the novel's characters have plenty of adventures, but their interior lives are never explored Noun a black car with gray leather interior the interior of the house They traveled deep into the interior of Australia.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
Bavaria’s interior minister said the historic building, now a restaurant, would not be left in ruins, with restoration plans still to be discussed. — Geir Moulson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 Singer demonstrates how timeless design and exceptional interior quality can coexist with everyday usability. — New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
Beauer's design expands the trailer interior from a single space that needs to fit the entirety of the floor plan to three individual sections that each house a different space. — New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026 Historical references will be woven into the interiors, creating connections between past and present. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for interior

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle French & Latin; Middle French interiore, from Latin, comparative of Old Latin *interus inward, on the inside; akin to Latin inter

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of interior was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing interior

Rhymes for interior

See All Rhymes for interior

Browse Nearby Words

interionic
interior
interior angle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Interior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interior. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

interior

1 of 2 adjective
in·​te·​ri·​or in-ˈtir-ē-ər How to pronounce interior (audio)
1
: existing or occurring within the limits : inner
2
: remote from the border or shore
interiorly adverb

interior

2 of 2 noun
1
: the internal or inner part of something : inside
the interior of a house
2
: the inland part (as of a country or island)
traveled to the interior of Australia
3
: the internal affairs of a state or nation
department of the Interior

Medical Definition

interior

1 of 2 adjective
in·​te·​ri·​or in-ˈtir-ē-ər How to pronounce interior (audio)
: lying, occurring, or functioning within limiting boundaries

interior

2 of 2 noun
: the internal or inner part or cavity of a thing
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