Word

interior

noun C1

UK /ɪnˈtɪə.ɹɪ.ə/

US /ɪnˈtɪ.ɹi.ɚ/

Meanings

noun

the inside part or inner space of a building, room, vehicle, or object

adjective

located on the inside rather than the outside

adjective

situated away from the coast or borders; central or inland

Definition

The interior is the inside part of a building, object, or place.

The interior refers to the inner space or inner part of something, especially a building or a vehicle. It contrasts with the exterior, which is the outside. It can describe both the physical inside area and, more broadly, things happening away from the outer edges of a country or region.

Examples

The museum’s interior was renovated to improve the lighting and visitor flow.
After the storm, they inspected the interior of the car for water damage.
She chose warm, muted colors to give the interior a calmer atmosphere.
The guide explained how trade routes shaped interior regions long before modern highways existed.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse interior (inside) with exterior (outside) and use the wrong one when describing parts of a building or object.