Meaning & use
introverted
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Preferring quiet and time alone, and tending to feel drained by crowds and recharged by solitude.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: an introverted child, she is introverted.
Patterns
- be introverted
- an introverted person
As an introverted student, he preferred the library to the party.
Introverted people often need a quiet evening after a busy day.
She is introverted but not shy; she just likes small groups.
adjectivecomparable
Focused on one's own thoughts and feelings rather than on other people or the outside world.
Grammar: Can describe behaviour or moods as well as people: an introverted mood.
Patterns
- become introverted
- an introverted mood
After the move, the boy grew introverted and rarely spoke at school.
The poet's introverted style looks inward rather than at events.
Illness left him introverted for months.
Word forms
| comparative | more introverted |
|---|---|
| superlative | most introverted |
Common combinations
- naturally introverted
- He is naturally introverted and recharges alone.
- quiet and introverted
- The quiet and introverted girl surprised everyone with her speech.
- introverted personality
- An introverted personality is not a flaw.
- rather introverted
- I am rather introverted at big events.
- introverted child
- An introverted child may need time to warm up to new friends.
Synonyms and how they differ
- reserved
- Reserved describes holding back emotions in public, while introverted is about where one gets energy.
- shy
- Shy implies nervousness around people, but an introverted person may feel perfectly comfortable and simply prefer solitude.
- withdrawn
- Withdrawn suggests pulling away from others, often because of sadness, which introverted does not imply.
- reclusive
- Reclusive is much stronger and means living largely cut off from other people.
Opposites
Word family
- introvert noun
- a person who prefers quiet and solitude
- introversion noun
- the tendency to focus inward and prefer solitude
- introvertedly adverb
- in an introverted manner (rare)
- extroverted adjective
- outgoing and energised by company
Commonly confused: introverted or introspective? introverted or shy?
introverted vs introspective
Introspective means examining your own thoughts and feelings; an introverted person may or may not do this much.
introverted vs shy
Shyness is fear of social judgement, while introversion is a preference for less social stimulation.
Practice
Which sentence best shows that someone is introverted rather than simply shy?
Choose one answer.
Introversion means preferring solitude to recharge, even when comfortable socially; fear of judgement describes shyness.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “introverted”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.