(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
Note: The form '~ of' can also be used as a preposition. This form is more usual in American English.
1.
Something or someone that is ~ a place, container, or object is in it or is surrounded by it.
Inside the passport was a folded slip of paper...
There is a telephone ~ the entrance hall.
? outside
PREP
•
Inside is also an adverb.
The couple chatted briefly on the doorstep before going ~...
Inside, clouds of cigarette smoke swirled.
? outside
ADV: ADV after v, be ADV, from ADV, n ADV, ADV with cl
•
Inside is also an adjective.
...four-berth ~ cabins with en suite bathroom and shower.
ADJ: ADJ n
2.
The ~ of something is the part or area that its sides surround or contain.
The doors were locked from the ~...
I painted the ~ of the house...
? outside
N-COUNT: usu the N in sing
•
Inside is also an adjective.
The popular papers all have photo features on their ~ pages.
ADJ: ADJ n
•
Inside is also an adverb.
The potato cakes should be crisp outside and meltingly soft ~.
ADV: adj ADV
3.
You can say that someone is ~ when they are in prison. (INFORMAL)
He’s been ~ three times.
ADV: be ADV, ADV after v
4.
On a wide road, the ~ lane is the one which is closest to the edge of the road. Compare outside . (BRIT)
I was driving up at seventy miles an hour on the ~ lane on the motorway.
= nearside
? outside
ADJ: ADJ n
•
Inside is also a noun. (in AM, use slow lane )
I overtook Charlie on the ~.
? outside
N-SING: the N, oft on the N
5.
Inside information is obtained from someone who is involved in a situation and therefore knows a lot about it.
Sloane used ~ diplomatic information to make himself rich...
ADJ: ADJ n
6.
If you are ~ an organization, you belong to it.
75 percent of chief executives come from ~ the company...
PREP
•
Inside is also an adjective.
...a recent book about the ~ world of pro football.
ADJ: ADJ n
•
Inside is also a noun.
McAvoy was convinced he could control things from the ~ but he lost control.
N-SING: the N
7.
Your ~s are your internal organs, especially your stomach. (INFORMAL)
N-PLURAL: usu poss N
8.
If you say that someone has a feeling ~, you mean that they have it but have not expressed it.
There is nothing left ~–no words, no anger, no tears...
ADV: ADV after v, n ADV
•
Inside is also a preposition.
He felt a great weight of sorrow ~ him...
PREP: usu n PREP pron
•
Inside is also a noun.
What is needed is a change from the ~, a real change in outlook and attitude.
N-SING: the N
9.
If you do something ~ a particular time, you do it before the end of that time.
They should have everything working ~ an hour...
= within
PREP: PREP amount
10.
If something such as a piece of clothing is ~ out, the part that is normally ~ now faces outwards.
Her umbrella blew ~ out.
PHRASE: PHR after v
11.
If you say that you know something or someone ~ out, you are emphasizing that you know them extremely well.
He knew the game ~ out...
PHRASE: v n PHR emphasis