internal
adjectivecommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ɪnˈtɜː.nəl//
- United States//ɪnˈtɜɹ.nəl//
- //ɪnˈʈəʳ.nəl//
- //ˈɪn.ʈə.nəl//
- /[ɪɳ.ʈɜ(ː)(ɾ).nəl]/
Of or situated on the inside.
adjective
- 1
Of or situated on the inside.
We saw the internal compartments of the machine.
- 2
Of or situated on the inside. Within the body.
Her bleeding was internal.
- 3
Of or situated on the inside. Concerned with the domestic affairs of a nation, state or other political community.
The nation suffered from internal conflicts.
the minister of internal affairs
- 4
Of or situated on the inside. Concerned with the non-public affairs of a company or other organisation.
An internal investigation was conducted.
- 5
Of or situated on the inside. Present or arising within an organism or one of its parts.
an internal stimulus
- 6
Of or situated on the inside. Applied or intended for application through the stomach by being swallowed.
an internal remedy
- 7
Experienced in one's mind; inner rather than expressed.
internal feelings
- 8
Of the inner nature of a thing.
- 9
Attending a university as well as taking its examinations.
Etymology
From Middle English internall, internalle, borrowing from New Latin internālis (“of or pertaining to the inner part”), from internus (“inward, internal”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix). By surface analysis, intern + -al.
Forms
- comparative
- more internal
- superlative
- most internal