Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

inwardness

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.53 in modern English

Syllables: in-ward-ness
IPA

14

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The characteristic of being inward or directed towards the inside.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The internal or true state; the essential nature.

Countable; Obsolete; Uncountable

noun

Familiarity; intimacy.

Countable; Obsolete; Uncountable

noun

Earnestness; heartiness.

Countable; Obsolete; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"the inwardness of conduct"
"Sense cannot arrive at th’inwardness of things."
"Signior Leonato, let the friar advise you: / And though you know my inwardness and love / Is very much unto the prince and Claudio, / Yet, by mine honour, I will deal in this / As secretly and justly as your soul / Should with your body."
"The prophets perpetually reminded their nation of the superiority of judgment and justice to any exterior ceremony like sacrifice. […] [W]hat was wanted was more inwardness, more feeling. This was given by adding mercy and humbleness to judgment and justice."

Etymology

From Middle English inwardnesse; analysable as inward + -ness.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: inwardnesse
Suffix: inward

Usage

Inflected Forms

inwardnesses (plural)

Synonyms

crux gist bowels sum brass tacks core essence drift guts gravamen heart heart and soul

Questions

What does inwardness mean?: The characteristic of being inward or directed towards the inside.
Where does inwardness come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce inwardness

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