1situated within the confines of (something): [as preposition]:a radio was playing inside the flat [as adverb]:Mr Jackson is waiting for you inside
moving so as to end up within (something): [as preposition]:Anatoly reached inside his shirt and brought out a map [as adverb]:we walked inside
within (a person’s body or mind), typically with reference to sensations of self-awareness: [as preposition]:she felt a stirring of life inside herI just roll the phrases round inside my head [as adverb]:I was screaming inside
informal in prison:she was sentenced to three years inside
(in soccer, rugby, and other sports) closer to the centre of the field than (another player): [as preposition]:he went inside Graves and scored near the post
2 [preposition] in less than (the period of time specified):the oven will have paid for itself inside 18 months
Phrases
inside of
informal
within:something inside of me wanted to believe him
in less than (the period of time specified):preparing a ship for a voyage inside of a week
on the inside
informal in a position affording private information:will you be my spy on the inside?
Origin:
late Middle English (denoting the interior of the body): from in+ side
