Introvert oxford dictionary

Introvert Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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[ noun, adjective in-truh-vurt; verb in-truh-vurt ]

/ noun, adjective ˈɪn trəˌvɜrt; verb ˌɪn trəˈvɜrt /

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See synonyms for: introvert / introverting on Thesaurus.com

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noun

a person who prefers calm environments, limits social engagement, or embraces a greater than average preference for solitude.

Psychology. a person characterized by concern primarily with his or her own thoughts and feelings. Compare extrovert (def. 2).

Zoology. a part that is or can be introverted.

adjective Also in·tro·vert·ed .

having a disposition that is taxed by social engagement and energized by calm environments, resulting in the preference for quiet solitude.

Psychology. marked by introversion.

verb (used with object)

to turn inward: to introvert one's anger.

Psychology. to direct (the mind, one's interest, etc.) partly to things within the self.

Anatomy, Zoology. to turn (a hollow, cylindrical structure) in on itself; invaginate.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

Origin of introvert

First recorded in 1660–70; intro- + (in)vert

synonym study for introvert

Many people mistake shy and introverted as synonyms. The observable behaviors of introverts and shy people are similar; both personalities are characterized by a quiet demeanor and subdued social engagement. However, shyness is associated with timidity and social anxiety. In contrast, introversion is characterized by a lack of interest in interpersonal engagement and a limited endurance for social drama.
The distinct motivations of introverted or shy people to act in a retiring manner are as defining as the observable contrast between introverts and extroverts.

OTHER WORDS FROM introvert

non·in·tro·vert·ed, adjectivenon·in·tro·vert·ed·ly, adverbnon·in·tro·vert·ed·ness, nounun·in·tro·vert·ed, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH introvert

extrovert, introvert

Words nearby introvert

introspection, introspective, introsusception, in trouble with, introversion, introvert, intrude, intruder, Intruder in the Dust, intrusion, intrusive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

MORE ABOUT INTROVERT

What does

introvert mean?

Where does

introvert come from?

The word introvert precedes online personality quizzes by about 400 years. The first records of the word introvert come from the 1600s, when it was used as a verb meaning “to turn one’s thoughts inward.” It wasn’t until the 1900s that it began to be popularly used in the context of psychology as a noun referring to a person with a certain personality type. Introvert is formed from the prefix intro–, meaning “inwardly” or “within,” and the root vert, meaning “to turn” (as in invert).

The concept of introversion and introverts (and other personality types) was popularized by psychologist Carl Jung in the early 1900s. According to Jung, introverts are people who tend to be preoccupied with their own thoughts and feelings and minimize their contact with other people. Today, we often think of introverts as reflective, reserved, interested in abstract ideas, sensitive, and tending to thrive in familiar environments. In contrast, extroverts are thought to be outgoing and to thrive in social situations. Most theories about personality types agree that a person usually has some elements of introversion and some elements of extroversion. However, many of these theories state that one of those tends to be stronger.

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How is

introvert used in real life?

Introvert is often used in the context of personality tests that claim to be able to tell you what kind of personality type you are. People often label themselves as either an introvert or extrovert, but a lot of research indicates that many people are a mixture of both.

Life as an introvert:

– I love people
– People scare me
– Please invite me to your party
– I hate parties

— Il Caffè Nero (@_King_Wise) March 9, 2020

I'm not an introvert, but I don't like being around people for an extended period of time, nothing personal… I just enjoy my own company.

— Michael (@ItsHimMichael) February 26, 2015

I think more of y’all would realize your full potential if you collaborated with other creatives. Most creatives I meet are introverts (like me) and just don’t like being around ppl so u force yourself into doing everything on your own. Nobody can do everything.

— KATO ON THE TRACK (@KatoProducer) March 15, 2020

Try using

introvert!

Which of the following words would probably NOT be used to describe people who call themselves introverts?

A. outgoing
B. reflective
C. solitary
D. shy

Words related to introvert

observer, brooder, homebody, solitary, wallflower, loner, thinker

How to use introvert in a sentence

Whether you’re a fabulous cook who loves to entertain, or, like me, an introvert who relishes a dinner of popcorn and ice cream, you’ve been influenced by Beard.
James Beard biography a luscious feast|Kathi Wolfe|October 22, 2020|Washington Blade
Furthermore, in the same way that few people are fully 100 percent extravert or fully 100 percent introvert, few of us are 100 percent egalitarian in our posture toward the world or 100 percent bigoted.
Believing in Monsters: David Livingstone Smith on the Subhuman - Facts So Romantic|Eric Schwitzgebel|September 11, 2020|Nautilus
This makes as little sense as being simultaneously an extreme extravert and an extreme introvert.
Believing in Monsters: David Livingstone Smith on the Subhuman - Facts So Romantic|Eric Schwitzgebel|September 11, 2020|Nautilus
Gowtham V, a 13-year-old at Puvidham, is an introvert, his mother tells me.
Schools Teach Kids How to Survive the Future’s Harsh Climates|Charu Kasturi|August 7, 2020|Ozy

Yes, introverts and extroverts do differ in important ways, but in fact they often grade imperceptibly into each other.
5 Psychology Terms You’re Probably Misusing (Ep. 334 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|January 9, 2020|Freakonomics
Now 47-year-old Marina Berlusconi appears to be moving into politics—that is, if the camera-shy introvert really wants the job.
Could Silvio Berlusconi’s Daughter Take Over Italy, Too?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|May 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A natural introvert, she has been utterly content with her relative anonymity.
Vogue Creative Director Grace Coddington’s Memoir Offers Few Revelations|Robin Givhan|November 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The acrembolic proboscis or frontal introvert of the Nemertine worms has a complete range.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5|Various
What is your impression of him as his being introspective or an introvert or an extrovert?
Warren Commission (9 of 26): Hearings Vol. IX (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
Further, it is not the sign of an introvert to blow off on little things to your wife, as he did.
Warren Commission (9 of 26): Hearings Vol. IX (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
The markers introvert their marks and fall into desuetude—and the mummery is duly inaugurated.
The Army Mule and Other War Sketches|Henry A. Castle
The Major Maintainer hadn't merely been switched to Introvert.
The Big Time|Fritz Reuter Leiber

British Dictionary definitions for introvert

introvert

noun (ˈɪntrəˌvɜːt)

psychol a person prone to introversion

adjective (ˈɪntrəˌvɜːt)

Also: introverted characterized by introversion

verb (ˌɪntrəˈvɜːt)

(tr) pathol to turn (a hollow organ or part) inside out

Compare extrovert

Word Origin for introvert

C17: see intro-, invert

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for introvert

introvert

[ (in-truh-vurt) ]

A term introduced by the psychologist Carl Jung to describe a person whose motives and actions are directed inward. Introverts tend to be preoccupied with their own thoughts and feelings and minimize their contact with other people. (Compare extrovert.)

Dictionaries Get Introverts Wrong, and It's Time to Fix That

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re an introvert. Or you know someone who is. There’s also a good chance that you’ve been misunderstood as an introvert. And while I’m not usually one to point fingers and lay blame, in this article, I’m going to.

Because there’s a reason we’ve been misunderstood. Well, there are probably countless reasons that introversion is misunderstood. But one of those reasons, which is quite significant, is that we introverts have been given a raw deal by… drum roll please… the dictionary.

How Dictionaries Get Introverts Wrong

If you haven’t looked up the dictionary definition of “introvert” lately, then here it is, from the Oxford dictionary, in all its, err, “glory. ” This is also the definition that pops up when you type “introvert” into the Google search bar:

Introvert

“A shy, reticent person.”

When I read this, I felt as though I’d been kicked in the teeth. I absolutely one hundred percent identify as an introvert. But this? Shy? Reticent (not being able to express your thoughts or feelings easily)?

This I am not.

Unfortunately, the word shy is often used interchangeably with introvert — but they are not the same. Shy people often want interaction with others but hold back, usually due to fear. Introverts have a preference for being alone.

Surely, I thought, there must be other versions with better definitions. So I tried the Collins Dictionary.

Introvert

“An introvert is a quiet, shy person who finds it difficult to talk to people.”

Ugh. I am none of those things. Yes, I like quiet, but I’m not really a quiet person. And I don’t have any problem talking to other people. I prefer quiet, deep conversations with good friends, but I don’t necessarily find it hard to talk with anyone.

The Danger of Misdefining Introversion

Our dictionaries, whether it’s the Oxford, Collins, or another version, give meaning to the words that give us language. We rely on them to help teach our children, and they’re an integral part of learning and understanding any language. As a writer, I often rely on a dictionary and thesaurus to make sure I get my points across accurately. I had assumed those dictionary authors had it sorted.

And I guess for the most part, they do, but when it comes to the definition of “introvert,” I have to disagree. I think they have it wrong. And this wrong definition is a major contributor to the world’s misunderstanding of introverts.

It turns out that the word introvert (as a verb) has been around since the mid 17th century. And it’s original definition was more congruent with what we now consider more accurate: “To turn one’s thoughts inwards. ” It wasn’t until 1918 that the word was used as a noun by psychologist Carl Jung and defined more correctly as “one whose thoughts and feelings are directed toward oneself.”

But somehow along the way, the definition has strayed and morphed into what most dictionaries have today.

This isn’t the first time someone has raised their hand in protest. Back in 2014, Jenn Granneman, founder of Introvert, Dear, wrote a piece addressed to Google, petitioning for them and other dictionaries to change their definition.

Suffice it to say, there it remains. A horrid reminder of what a large portion of the world thinks we introverts are. Shy and reticent. We can hardly blame them when this is what they’ve been taught. And what their parents and grandparents have also been taught. They’ve been conditioned to think of introverts in this negative and inaccurate way.

And this doesn’t just mean that introverts have to deal with some personal misconceptions about themselves. When society as a whole doesn’t have the right definition of introversion, it means many people end up living lives that actually go against their natures. Before I learned about introversion, I often felt like I had to “fake” being an outgoing, always-on-the-go person. I thought there was something wrong with my needs for quiet and solitude.

But when I learned about introversion, everything finally made sense.

A Better Definition of ‘Introvert’

A psychology-based definition of “introvert” would be a far more accurate one. This description on the official Myers & Briggs Foundation website is great:

“I like getting my energy from dealing with the ideas, pictures, memories, and reactions that are inside my head, in my inner world. I often prefer doing things alone or with one or two people I feel comfortable with. I take time to reflect so that I have a clear idea of what I’ll be doing when I decide to act. Ideas are almost solid things for me. Sometimes I like the idea of something better than the real thing. ”

Introvert, Dear’s own preferred definition of introversion is simple:

“Someone who prefers calm, minimally stimulating environments. Introverts tend to feel drained after socializing and regain their energy by spending time alone.”

While psychology-based definitions are referenced in some dictionaries, they are done so as a side note, rather than the predominant definition. So clearly getting this changed would be an excellent start.

What Can You Do?

Getting dictionary definitions changed is just the start of what needs to be a worldwide shift in the understanding of what it means to be an introvert. And this shift will begin with more awareness.

If you identify as an introvert, make your family and friends aware of what introversion really means. A great conversation starter might be to simply ask them what they think an introvert is. You can then talk them through a more accurate description by using yourself as an example.

What you may actually get is another introvert comrade. Many people don’t realize they’re introverted until they understand what the term really means. Additionally, while we’re born with introvert traits, they operate on a scale, and may even intensify over time. (According to Susan Cain, author of Quiet, it’s not unusual for people to act more introverted as they get older.) I identified most fully with introversion after having my two children.

This doesn’t seem like much. Changing the predominant worldview on introversion seems like a mammoth task. It is.

But every single one of us has a part to play in this revolution. Every conversation you have, pointing to a more accurate understanding of introverts, is part of this important movement.

Let’s do this!

Introversion | World of Psychology

INTROVERSION

Introversion (eng. introversion; from lat. intro - inside + versae, versie - turn; lit.: turning inward) - a complex property (complex of traits) of a personality, standardly described as a tendency avoid social contacts (lack of communication skills, lack of sociability), desire for solitude, orientation not to the external, but to the inner world (feelings, thoughts, images). Extreme degrees of I. are characteristic of autism. nine0009

The complex of traits of an introvert also includes the desire for accuracy, pedantry, planning one's actions; indecision, caution; a responsibility. Introversion is considered as the opposite of extraversion, with which it is connected by a single psychodiagnostic scale. Most people get average marks on the extraversion-introversion scale (the usual name for this scale is "extroversion", "scale E"; from English extraversion). (BM)

Big Encyclopedia of Psychiatry. Zhmurov V.A. nine0009

Introversion (lat. intro - inside, vertere - to turn, turn) - K. Jung's term, denotes a contemplative, passive attitude to what is happening outside of oneself, combined with a predominant interest in what is happening in oneself. This may mean that there is a) a dulling of the perception of external impressions, or b) an aggravation of perception and an increase in the significance of subjective impressions (fantasies, dreams, daydreams). Some authors consider Autism to be an extreme, clinically significant degree of introversion (see). nine0009

The term introversion is more often used with a connotation of disorder than the term extraversion.

Glossary of psychiatric terms. V.M. Bleikher, I.V. Kruk

no meaning and interpretation of the word

Neurology. Complete explanatory dictionary. Nikiforov A.S.

no meaning and interpretation of the word

Oxford Dictionary of Psychology

Introversion - turning inward. Used in personality theory to refer to the tendency to avoid social contact and to be preoccupied with one's own thoughts. While this may be a "normal" characteristic, many feel that extreme forms of introversion border on pathology; for example, autism. It is curious that in our culture such suspicions about extreme manifestations of extraversion are rarely expressed. nine0009

subject area of the term

EISENCK INTROVERSION (lat. intro - inside) . Category . Personal variable in the hierarchical personality model of H. Eysenck. Specific . It is characterized by a number of features. Among them - perseverance, rigidity, subjectivism, modesty, irritability. The introvert is shy, introspective, does not follow sudden impulses, likes order, can be relied upon, cold. Performance oriented. nine0009

JUNGU INTROVERSION (lat. intro - inside) . Author. K.G. Jung. Category . Personal orientation. Specific . An introvert is characterized as a conscious, thinking and judging individual.

INTROVERSION | EXTRAVERSION (introversion / extraversion) In 1921 Carl Jung in his book "Psychological types" (Psychologische Turep) introduced the terms "introversion" and "extroversion".

For Jung, introversion meant turning the libido inward, and extraversion meant turning the libido outward. One of the most popular personality tests, osn. on Jung's type theory is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). An introvert is a person whose mind and feelings are turned inward (that is, they have strong connections with the Self). Jung believed that the introvert directs the libido inward due to feelings of inferiority - an idea somewhat similar to the views of Alfred Adler. Introverts are quite withdrawn, avoid other people and are primarily interested in themselves, especially during periods of stress. nine0009

Introvert is self-sufficient. Main stimulation of the introvert comes from within, from the inner world of thoughts and reflections.
Introverts are often secretive, difficult to get to know closely, they tend to hide their emotions and do not like it when they interfere in their personal lives.
Extroverts , on the contrary, are oriented predominately. to the outside world, focus their judgments and perceptions on people and surroundings.
Extroverts are energized by other people and external events, they tend to express their emotions, they need relationships more than solitude, they are usually friendly, talkative, easily get along with people. nine0071 Extroverts may appear superficial to introverts, while introverts to extroverts may appear withdrawn.

The Extraversion-Introversion Index (E-I) is one of the four dichotomous scales of the MBTI test. Dr. scales - feeling-intuition (S-N), thinking-emotions (T-F) and judgment-perception (J-P). See also Affiliation Need, Individual Differences, Lifestyle Assessment, BM Personality Types. Thorn

back to section : glossary / glossary / table

Psychology of consciousness, behavior and personality, differential psychology

Ambiverts: who are they and how to understand that you are one of them

Ambiverts - who are they? The Oxford Dictionary defines them as people who combine the personality traits of both introverts and extroverts, and Travis Bradbury, the author of a number of books, including Emotional Intelligence 2.0, is sure that ambiverts have an advantage over the rest: they can quickly adapt to different people and situations. Here are a few signs that will help determine that you are an ambivert. nine0009

1. Time spent with others sometimes drains you and sometimes energizes you

It happens that socializing with others, especially strangers (for example, at a party or a professional conference), exhausts you, depriving you of the last physical and emotional strength , and you only dream of finally being in the silence of your home. And it happens that, being in exactly the same state - for example, tired after a busy working week, you get real pleasure from communicating with people and recharge. nine0009

Usually ambiverts need at least some time to be alone with themselves (a trait inherent in introverts), and only then are they ready to communicate with others - so that this communication charges them, not tiresome.

2. Sometimes you talk non-stop, sometimes you don't talk

And it doesn't depend on the company or the topics you are talking about: it's just that today you actively talk to others, ask questions and willingly talk about yourself, and tomorrow you will want to shut up and listen. And that's completely normal. nine0009

3. Some people will describe you as an introvert, others as an extrovert

Some friends may think that you are sociable, full of energy, never get tired and never get bored with you, and others that you are pleasant, but rather reserved a person who would do well to “open up” more often. Most likely, both are true - you can be both this and that, depending on how you feel at this particular moment and who surrounds you.

4. You like being the center of attention, but not for too long

Standing in the center of a room and listening to friends or colleagues sing “Let them run clumsily…” or shower congratulations is something ambiverts usually don't like. However, sometimes they are not averse to telling a joke or a funny story that the whole company will laugh at, as well as to share their opinion on an important issue during the discussion (the main thing is that the “spotlight” of everyone's attention should not be directed at them for too long).

5. You listen and speak in balance

According to psychologist Brian Little, ambiverts have both the self-reflection ability of introverts and the communication skills inherent in extroverts, so it is always pleasant to talk with them - they listen carefully, ask the “right” questions, and tell interesting stories.

Learn more