Word: Internal

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈtɜːrnəl/

Definitions

• Adjective: Inside; situated within the limits or surface of something. It can also refer to something that is related to the inner part, nature, or workings of a system, organization, or person.

  • Example: “The internal structure of the building was complex.”
  • Example: “She had an internal struggle with her decision.”

• Noun (rarely used): The internal aspect, essence, or parts of something.

  • Example: “The company’s internal was reorganized to improve efficiency.”

Phrases

• Internal affairs: Matters concerning the inside operations, policies, or personnel of an organization, especially those concerning law enforcement or government departments.

  • Example: “The department of internal affairs is responsible for investigating police misconduct.”

• Internal medicine: A branch of medicine dealing with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in adults, particularly chronic illnesses and multi-system diseases.

• Internal combustion engine: An engine in which fuel is ignited within the engine itself to produce power, typically found in vehicles.

Example Sentences

• Adjective: “The company conducted an internal audit to assess its financial health.”
• Noun (rarely used): “Addressing the internals of the issue will lead to a better understanding.”

Synonyms

• Inward
• Inside
• Interior
• Intramural (in reference to activities within an organization)
• Inner
• Core
• Central
• Gut (informal)

Note: As an adjective, ‘internal’ is often used in various compound terms like ‘internal conflict’, ‘internal memory’, ‘internal bleeding’, ‘internal communication’, etc., each with their specific meanings in different contexts.