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Inward vs Downward - What's the difference?

inward | downward |

As adjectives the difference between inward and downward

is that inward is situated on the inside; that is within, inner; belonging to the inside while downward is moving or sloping down.

As adverbs the difference between inward and downward

is that inward is towards the inside while downward is toward a lower level, whether in physical space, in a hierarchy, or in amount or value.

As a noun inward

is (obsolete|chiefly|in the plural) that which is inward or within; the inner parts or organs of the body; the viscera.

inward

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Situated on the inside; that is within, inner; belonging to the inside.
  • (obsolete) Intimate, closely acquainted; familiar.
  • *, II.3:
  • *:There is nothing can be added unto the daintinesse of Fulvius'' wives death, who was so inward with ''Augustus .
  • * Bible, Job xix. 19
  • All my inward friends abhorred me.
  • * Sir Philip Sidney
  • He had had occasion, by one very inward with him, to know in part the discourse of his life.

    Derived terms

    * inwards * inwardly * inwardness

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • Towards the inside.
  • So much the rather, thou Celestial Light, Shine inward . — Milton.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete, chiefly, in the plural) That which is inward or within; the inner parts or organs of the body; the viscera.
  • (Jeremy Taylor)
  • * Milton
  • Then sacrificing, laid the inwards and their fat.
  • (obsolete, chiefly, in the plural) The mental faculties.
  • (obsolete) A familiar friend or acquaintance.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I was an inward of his.
    (Webster 1913)

    Anagrams

    *

    downward

    English

    Adverb

    (en-adv) (or downwards )
  • Toward a lower level, whether in physical space, in a hierarchy, or in amount or value.
  • His position in society moved ever downward .
  • * Drayton
  • Their heads they downward bent.
  • * Shakespeare
  • A ring the county wears, / That downward hath descended in his house, / From son to son, some four or five descents.

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • moving or sloping down
  • He spoke with a downward glance.

    Anagrams

    *