introvert

1 of 2

noun

in·​tro·​vert ˈin-trə-ˌvərt How to pronounce introvert (audio)
plural introverts
1
: a person whose personality is characterized by introversion : a typically reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone
introverts gain energy through solitude and quiet.Bill Howatt
His research further shows that about 70% of top executives are introverts.Linda Grant
Bill Gates is quiet and bookish, but apparently unfazed by others' opinions of him: he's an introvert, but not shy.Steven Aitchison

Note: Introverts are typically more comfortable interacting with small groups of people rather than large groups (as at parties). The psychologist Carl Gustav Jung first introduced the terms introvert, introversion, extrovert, and extroversion in the early 1900s to describe personality types that focus a person's energy on either the inner or outer world. The terms introvert and extrovert have since become widely popularized, with introvert often broadly used to mean "a quiet or shy person."

… she was, by other accounts, a "shy sensitive introvert" who was "afraid of people and felt most comfortable when she could shut the door and withdraw."Robert R. Harris
compare extrovert
2
: something (such as the retractile proboscis of some worms) that is or can be drawn in especially by invagination

introvert

2 of 2

verb

introverted; introverting; introverts

transitive verb

: to turn inward or in upon oneself or itself: such as
a
: to concentrate or direct upon oneself
… served the purpose of introverting aggressive intentions.Ernst Simmel
b
: to produce psychological introversion in
"… I had gone through some pretty hard deals, and it did introvert me. … "Joni Mitchell

Examples of introvert in a Sentence

Noun although interested in the public welfare, he was too much of an introvert to consider personally running for political office
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
By honoring their strengths — like listening and empathy — introverts can not only be effective leaders but great ones as well. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024 To maximize your strengths as an introvert, find a career that aligns with your values and character traits. Goldie Chan, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Audit existing protocols to ensure that introverts are set up for success: Organizations can optimize their communication and collaboration systems to set introverts up for success as leaders. Kara Dennison, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 It’s created a new economy controlled by introverts, per Bloomberg’s Allison Schrager. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2024 Ultimately, the biggest factor in Kahan’s leap to stardom might be the generation of terminally online, oversharing introverts that recognizes itself in his personality (both onstage and on social media) as well as in his lyrics. Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 25 Jan. 2024 In her own family, de Bres became the writer and the introvert, while her twin, Julia, was the artist and the adventurer. Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024 My daughter, an introvert with a preternatural instinct for hibernation, admired the chickens’ unerring sense of home. Amory Rowe Salem and Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 9 Jan. 2024 Candy Jar is likely to please anyone looking for a good teen romance, but its messages will particularly hit the introverts watching at home. Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 6 Jan. 2024
Verb
However, there are also Black people who are the opposite—introverted. Britney Porter, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 While some perceive the filmmaker as introverted, Downey has been regularly bringing out a side of the director that is playful – even downright giggly at times. Jenelle Riley, Variety, 16 Feb. 2024 His academic prowess landed him at the University of Chicago, where friends say Hoeft stood out for keeping to himself even among a student body with a reputation for being introverted. Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 21 Nov. 2023 This tactic can also help create psychological safety for others in the workforce who are also introverted or observational. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023 The novel scrolls back to key episodes in Bob’s youth and early adulthood, including his one and only great friendship with a man named Ethan Augustine, who is his opposite in every way: as unreliable as Bob is dependable, as lively as Bob is staid, as outgoing as Bob is introverted. Heller McAlpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2023 Remember, being introverted does not mean being shy or uncaring—in fact, quite the opposite. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023 Dawood tends to be reserved and introverted, Hashim said, but the two men kept in close touch over the years. NBC News, 22 June 2023 Felix Cooper Ortega is naturally introverted. Hunter Harris, ELLE, 7 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'introvert.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

(sense 2) noun derivative of introvert entry 2; (sense 1) back formation from introverted

Verb

borrowed from New Latin intrōvertere, from Latin intrō- intro- + vertere "to turn" — more at worth entry 4

First Known Use

Noun

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1652, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of introvert was in 1652

Dictionary Entries Near introvert

Cite this Entry

“Introvert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/introvert. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

introvert

noun
in·​tro·​vert
ˈin-trə-ˌvərt
1
: a person who is concerned or interested mostly in one's own thoughts and ideas
2
: a person who is shy or reserved and enjoys spending time alone
introversion
ˌin-trə-ˈver-zhən
-shən
noun
introverted
-ˌvərt-əd
adjective

Medical Definition

introvert

1 of 2 noun
: a person whose personality is characterized by introversion : a typically reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone

Note: Introverts are typically more comfortable interacting with small groups of people rather than large groups (as at parties). The psychologist C. G. Jung first introduced the terms introvert, introversion, extrovert, and extroversion in the early 1900s to describe personality types that focus a person's energy on either the inner or outer world. The terms introvert and extrovert have since become widely popularized, with introvert often broadly used to mean "a quiet or shy person." compare extrovert

introvert

2 of 2 transitive verb
in·​tro·​vert ˈin-trə-ˌvərt How to pronounce introvert (audio)
: to turn inward or upon itself
specifically : to produce psychological introversion in

More from Merriam-Webster on introvert

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