English Reference
adverb

internally

adv.
US /ˌɪnˈtɝnəɫi/ UK /ɪntˈɜːnəli/ in·ter·nal·ly

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    inside the body or within the physical limits of an object.

    within the interior of a physical structure or biological organism.

    Simple

    The medicine works internally to reduce pain throughout your body.

    In context

    The scan revealed that the patient was bleeding internally, necessitating immediate surgical intervention to locate the source.

    Usage

    Often used in medical contexts to describe processes not visible on the surface.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    inside a company or group rather than involving people from outside.

    relating to the inner workings or domestic affairs of an institution or organisation.

    Simple

    The company decided to hire someone internally for the manager job.

    In context

    The board preferred to resolve the dispute internally rather than risking a public scandal by involving outside mediators.

    Usage

    Common in business and legal English when discussing policy or recruitment.

    in housedomestically
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Literary

    inside your own mind or thoughts without showing it to others.

    within the mind or soul; not expressed or manifested outwardly.

    Simple

    She was screaming internally, but her face remained calm and professional.

    In context

    He processed the criticism internally for several days before finally offering a measured response to his colleagues.

    Usage

    Frequently used to describe emotional states that contrast with a person's outward appearance.

Usage internally displaced · internally consistent

If employers primarily hire workers who already have the skills they need, rather than developing those skills internally, fewer young workers get the opportunity to build experience in the first place.

Phys.org· 1 Sept 2026

From internal + -ly.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated