internal
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
located inside the body of a person or animal.
situated within the body or an organism; often used in medical or biological contexts.
Simple“The doctor was worried about internal bleeding after the accident.”
In context“The surgeon performed a laparoscopy to examine the patient's internal organs for signs of chronic inflammation.”
UsageCommonly used with nouns like 'organs', 'bleeding', or 'injuries'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
happening within a company, group, or country rather than outside it.
relating to the domestic affairs of a country or the inner workings of an organization.
Simple“The company sent an internal memo to all employees about the new rules.”
In context“The ministry launched an internal investigation to determine how the confidential documents were leaked to the press.”
UsageFrequently modifies 'affairs', 'memo', 'audit', or 'market'.
- 03 C1 Advanced
existing in your mind and not shown to other people.
experienced or existing within the mind; not expressed or apparent to observers.
Simple“She had a long internal struggle before deciding to quit her job.”
In context“The protagonist's internal monologue reveals a deep-seated insecurity that is never voiced to the other characters.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is common in literature and psychology to describe thoughts or feelings that remain private.
- 04 C1 Advanced
relating to the basic nature or qualities of something.
relating to the intrinsic nature or constitution of a thing.
Simple“The report looked at the internal logic of the government's plan.”
In context“The philosopher argued that the system lacked internal consistency, pointing out several fundamental contradictions in its premises.”
Usage internal communication · internal consistency · internal force
“The state faces internal security and economic challenges.”
“Like Spain, Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, which means that it has no internal borders and that the free movement of people, goods and services is permitted.”
From Middle English internall, internalle, borrowing from New Latin internālis (“of or pertaining to the inner part”), from internus (“inward, internal”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix). By surface analysis, intern + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.