Introversion
/ˌɪntrəˈvɜːrʒən/
nounB2
Definition
Introversion means a way of being where a person prefers quiet time alone or with a few close friends instead of large groups or busy social events. Introverted people often feel more energized by thinking and reflecting inside themselves rather than by being active with many others.
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See It in Action
A personality trait describing preference for solitude or small groups
- •Her introversion means she enjoys quiet evenings at home.
- •Introversion is common among writers and artists who need alone time.
- •He showed introversion by avoiding large parties and big crowds.
The process of focusing attention inward (psychology)
- •Introversion involves turning thoughts inward to reflect on feelings.
- •Some psychologists study introversion to understand how people think about themselves.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "introversion" like "quiet" (A1 word), but about how a person feels and acts inside, not just noise level
- ✓Picture someone reading a book alone in a calm room, happy and relaxed without others around
- ✓It’s the feeling when you want to rest after a busy day by being alone or with a close friend, not at a loud party
- ✓Sounds like "IN-tro-VER-zhun" → Imagine someone turning their attention INward like turning a radio dial inside their mind
- ✓Remember famous quiet characters like Sherlock Holmes, who think deeply and prefer solitude to recharge
- ✓NOT like "extroversion" (where people get energy from others and social activities)
- ✓NOT like "shyness" (which means feeling nervous about people); introversion is about where you get your energy, not fear
- ✓NOT like "loneliness" (which is feeling sad about being alone); introversion can be happy and peaceful alone
Try Other Words
- •Shyness: feeling nervous or uncomfortable in social situations (Use when the focus is on fear or anxiety, not energy preference)
- •Solitude: being alone (Use when emphasizing physical alone time, not personality trait)
- •Reservedness: being calm and not showing feelings openly (Use when describing behavior, but not the inner energy source)
- •Privacy: wanting to keep things private or alone (Use when focusing on keeping personal matters secret or alone)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "intro-" (inside, inward) + "-version" (turning) → literally "turning inward"
- •Etymology: From Latin roots; "intro" means inside, "versio" means turning
- •Historical development: Used in psychology since early 20th century to describe inward focus of attention
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in personality psychology and everyday language to describe people who prefer quiet and reflection
- •Key insight: Not about fear or dislike of people, but about where a person finds energy and focus
Reflect & Connect
•How do you feel when you spend a lot of time alone? Could this feeling be related to introversion?
•Can someone be both introverted and enjoy social activities? How might introversion show in different situations?
Fill in the blanks
1.People with introversion often feel ___ when they spend too much time in ___ social groups.
2.Introversion means a person prefers ___ or ___ friends rather than large crowds.
3.Unlike shyness, introversion is about where a person gets their ___, not about feeling ___.
4.When someone shows introversion, they usually enjoy activities like reading or ___ to recharge.
5.Introversion is the process of turning attention ___ to think about feelings and thoughts.
6.Someone with introversion might say "I need some ___ time" after a busy day.
7.Introversion is different from loneliness because it can feel ___ and peaceful, not sad.