# introspective

/ˌɪntɹəˈspɛktɪv/ (US) · /ˌɪntɹəspˈɛktɪv/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/introspective
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

thinking deeply about your own feelings, thoughts, and experiences. You use this to describe someone who spends a lot of time looking inside themselves rather than focusing on the outside world.

For teachers: characterised by or directed toward the self; involving deep self-examination or self-reflection. Often used to describe a person's mental state or a piece of creative work that focuses on internal rather than external themes.

## Examples

- He is an introspective person who prefers reading to social events.
- The author's latest novel is highly introspective, focusing on the protagonist's internal struggle with identity.
- The retreat was designed to encourage introspective reflection, providing a quiet environment where participants could explore their personal goals away from the distractions of daily life.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.