What does interiorize mean?
Interiorize is a formal verb meaning to bring something inward, usually by making an idea, belief, value, or lesson part of one's own thinking and character. Rather than merely receiving information, the person who interiorizes it absorbs and accepts it so that it guides thought or behavior. The word can also describe turning attention or feeling inward, although this use is less common. Interiorize is most frequent in educational, psychological, philosophical, and cultural contexts, where it contrasts with externalizing thoughts or emotions. It is related to internalize, which is more common in American English, and to the broader family of words built on interior and internal. The term is especially useful when discussing the difference between knowing something and making it deeply one's own.
verbTo make something a part of oneself mentally or emotionally, especially by accepting, understanding, or internalizing it. It can also mean to turn something inward, directing attention or feelings toward one's inner life.
- To make a belief, value, idea, or other content part of one's own thinking or character.
- To direct one's attention or emotional life inward.
- To make something internal or inward-facing.
"The students gradually interiorized the principles of the movement until they became part of their own worldview."
"Through years of practice, she had interiorized the discipline of careful observation."
"The retreat helped him interiorize his emotions rather than simply expressing them outward."
Interiorize describes the moment an idea stops being information you have heard and becomes a conviction you carry within you.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does interiorize come from?
The verb was formed in English from interior, meaning “inner” or “within,” together with the suffix -ize, meaning “to make” or “to become.” Interior ultimately comes from Latin interior, “inner, interior,” related to inter, “between.” The development reflects a long-standing contrast between inward activity and outward expression. Its cognates include interior, internal, and interiority, all of which share the idea of something being within.
Related word forms
How interiorize is actually used
The word is formal and relatively uncommon in everyday speech. It is especially associated with education, psychology, philosophy, and discussions of personal development.
Easily confused with interiorize
The two words are very close in meaning; in American English, interiorize is the less common choice, while internalize is more widely used.
Interiorize means to bring something inward, whereas exteriorize means to express or project something outward.