prep. /in'suyd", in"suyd'/ ; adv. /in'suyd"/ ; n. /in"suyd"/ ; adj. /in'suyd", in"-, in"suyd'/ , prep.
1. on the inner side or part of; within: inside the circle; inside the envelope.
2. prior to the elapse of; within: He promised to arrive inside an hour.
adv.
3. in or into the inner part: Please go inside.
4. indoors: They play inside on rainy days.
5. within one's heart, reason, etc.; by true nature; basically: I know inside that he's not guilty. Inside, she's really very shy.
6. Slang. in prison.
7. inside of , Informal. within the space or period of: Our car broke down again inside of a mile.
n.
8. the inner or internal part; interior: the inside of the house.
9. the inner side or surface: the inside of the hand; He pinned the money to the inside of his jacket.
10. Usually, insides . Informal. the inner parts of the body, esp. the stomach and intestines: The coffee scalded my insides.
11. a select or inner circle of power, prestige, etc.: a man on the inside.
12. the shortest of several parallel, curving tracks or lanes; the part of an oval track closest to the inner rail: The horse came up fast on the inside.
13. the inward nature, mind, feelings, etc.
14. Slang. confidential or secret information.
15. an inside passenger or place in a coach, carriage, etc.
16. inside out ,
a. with the inner side reversed to face the outside.
b. thoroughly; completely: She knew the work inside out.
adj.
17. situated or being on or in the inside; interior; internal: an inside seat.
18. acting, employed, done, or originating within a building or place: He used to work on the dock but now he has an inside job.
19. derived from the inner circle of those concerned in and having private knowledge of a situation: inside information.
20. Baseball. (of a pitched ball) passing between home plate and the batter: The pitch was low and inside.
[ 1350-1400; ME; see IN, SIDE 1 ]
Syn. 8. INSIDE, INTERIOR both refer to the inner part or space within something. INSIDE is a common word, and is used with reference to things of any size, small or large: the inside of a pocket. INTERIOR, somewhat more formal, denotes the inner part or the space or regions within; it usually suggests considerable size or extent, and sometimes a richness of decoration: the interior of a country, of the earth, of a cathedral.
Ant. 8. outside, exterior.