Words / B1

in-TURNL/ɪnˈtɜːnl/

Internal means inside a person, organisation, or country rather than outside: an internal meeting; internal injuries; internal mail. External / outside is the opposite. Indoor is only about buildings; inner can be more literary (inner life). Internally is the adverb. Internal affairs / an internal investigation are typical work and news phrases. Internal market can mean trade inside one country. Do not use internal for “international” — that is between countries.

Meaning

Inside a person, organisation, or country rather than outside.

Examples

• “The company held an internal meeting.”
• “An internal investigation began after the complaint.”
• “He was treated for internal injuries after the crash.”

Good to know

an internal meeting / investigation / injury. Opposite: external. Buildings only: indoor. Adverb: internally. Not international.

Near in meaning

inside

New