What does indoors mean?
Indoors is an adverb meaning inside a building or other enclosed space, or into such a space. It is used when describing where someone or something is, as in “the children remained indoors,” and when describing movement, as in “we brought the equipment indoors.” The word is neutral in tone and works in everyday conversation as well as formal writing. It naturally forms a contrast with “outdoors,” often carrying the implication that an activity has been brought inside because of weather, darkness, safety, or convenience. Although “inside” can perform a similar function, indoors often emphasizes the distinction between interior and exterior space and is especially natural with verbs such as stay, come, go, and work. The related adjective indoor describes activities, places, or arrangements associated with the interior of a building.
In or into the interior of a building or other enclosed space.
"They waited indoors until the storm had passed."
This is the standard modern use of the word.
Inside or into the interior of a building or other enclosed space.
"The party moved indoors the room."
Less common than the adverb and chiefly associated with older or more formal usage.
The word’s final “s” comes from the plural in the older phrase “within doors”: indoors means within the enclosure of doors, not within a single door.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does indoors come from?
Indoors developed from the combination of “in” and the plural “doors,” meaning within or into the space enclosed by doors. The older expression “within doors” was used for the same general idea and survives in the modern compound. The related forms “outdoor” and “outdoors” were created in parallel by substituting the opposite prefix “out.”
Related word forms
How indoors is actually used
Indoors is neutral in register and is common in both spoken and written English. It often contrasts implicitly with outdoors and can describe either a location or a movement. The preposition use is less common and is mainly encountered in older or formal usage; modern English usually uses inside instead.
Easily confused with indoors
Indoor is normally an adjective describing something located or used inside, as in indoor activities, whereas indoors is an adverb describing a position or movement inside.