/ ˌɪnˈsaɪd; NAmE / preposition , adverb , noun , adjective
■ preposition (also in·side of especially in NAmE )
1.
on or to the inner part of sth/sb; within sth/sb :
Go inside the house.
Inside the box was a gold watch.
For years we had little knowledge of what life was like inside China.
You'll feel better with a good meal inside you.
( figurative )
Inside most of us is a small child screaming for attention.
OPP outside
2.
in less than the amount of time mentioned :
The job is unlikely to be finished inside (of) a year
■ adverb
1.
on or to the inside :
She shook it to make sure there was nothing inside.
We had to move inside (= indoors) when it started to rain.
( figurative )
I pretended not to care but I was screaming inside.
OPP outside
2.
( informal ) in prison :
He was sentenced to three years inside.
■ noun
1.
[ C , usually sing. ] (usually the inside ) the inner part, side or surface of sth :
The inside of the box was blue.
The door was locked from the inside.
The shell is smooth on the inside.
the insides of the windows
OPP the outside
2.
the inside [ sing. ] the part of a road nearest the edge, that is used by slower vehicles :
He tried to overtake on the inside .
OPP the outside
3.
the inside [ sing. ] the part of a curved road or track nearest to the middle or shortest side of the curve :
The French runner is coming up fast on the inside.
OPP the outside
4.
insides [ pl. ] ( informal ) a person's stomach and bowels :
She was so nervous, her insides were like jelly.
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IDIOMS
- inside out
- on the inside
- turn sth inside out
—more at know verb
■ adjective [ only before noun ]
1.
forming the inner part of sth; not on the outside :
the inside pages of a newspaper
an inside pocket
( BrE )
I was driving on the inside lane (= the part nearest the edge, not the middle of the road) .
2.
known or done by sb in a group or an organization :
inside information
Any newspaper would pay big money to get the inside story on her marriage.
The robbery appeared to have been an inside job .
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (denoting the interior of the body): from in + side .