internal
gb/ɪntˈɚnəl/ us/ɪntˈɚnəl/
B1
English
~ 1500
belső, belügyi, lelki
B1
1
belső
A2
Usage pattern:
[internal] [part/structure/process]
The doctor examined her internal organs for signs of disease.
The company is facing some internal problems.
The software has an internal security system to prevent hacking.
Internal walls help divide the space into separate rooms.
He was promoted after an internal review of staff performance.
Learner examples
The heart is an internal organ.
We have an internal meeting today.
The phone has an internal battery.
Internal walls are painted white.
They fixed the problem with the internal system.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'internal' with 'inner'. 'Internal' is more formal and often used for systems, processes, or official contexts.
Meaning
Located inside something
Collocations
internal organs
|internal structure
|internal process
|internal system
|internal affairs
Synonyms
inner (More general and less formal; often used in everyday speech.)
|
inside (Less formal; can function as a preposition or noun as well.)
Antonyms
external (Refers to something on the outside or coming from outside.)
Themes
anatomy
|business
|technology
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Inside something, not outside.
Situated within the limits or inner parts of something.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[internal] [policy/affairs/matters]
The minister is responsible for internal affairs.
A miniszter a belügyekért felelős.
The company is conducting an internal investigation into the complaint.
A vállalat belső vizsgálatot folytat a panasz ügyében.
The government announced changes to its internal policy.
Internal conflicts have weakened the organization.
They decided to deal with the matter through internal channels.
Learner examples
The police handle internal affairs.
A rendőrség belügyekkel foglalkozik.
We had an internal meeting about the project.
Belső megbeszélést tartottunk a projektről.
The country has many internal problems.
There is an internal investigation at the bank.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'internal' with 'international'. 'Internal' means inside a country or group; 'international' means between countries.
Meaning
Relating to domestic affairs
Collocations
internal affairs
|internal policy
|internal investigation
|internal conflict
Synonyms
domestic (Commonly used for national matters; less often used for organizations.)
Antonyms
foreign (Relating to other countries; the opposite of domestic.)
Themes
politics
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
About matters inside a country or group, not about other countries or groups.
Pertaining to the internal matters or operations of a country, organization, or institution, rather than external relations.
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[internal] [struggle/conflict/feeling/process]
She faced an internal struggle over whether to stay or leave.
Belső vívódáson ment keresztül amiatt, hogy maradjon-e vagy elmenjen.
His calm appearance hid an intense internal conflict.
Nyugodt megjelenése heves belső konfliktust takart.
Meditation can help with internal peace.
The decision involved a lot of internal debate.
Learner examples
I have an internal conflict about my job.
Belső konfliktusom van a munkámmal kapcsolatban.
She hides her internal feelings.
Elrejti a belső érzéseit.
He works on his internal peace.
My internal thoughts keep me awake.
Meaning
Existing within the mind or feelings
Collocations
internal struggle
|internal conflict
|internal process
Synonyms
inner (More common in everyday speech for feelings or thoughts.)
Antonyms
externalized (Made visible or expressed outwardly.)
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening in your mind or feelings.
Occurring within a person's mind, thoughts, or emotions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
internal
IPA
GB/ɪntˈɚnəl/
US/ɪntˈɚnəl/
Syllables & stress
in - tern - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tern)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: internal
Word family
Core family
internally
adverb B2
Related words
internalize
verb
internalization
noun
Negative and opposite forms
external
adjective B1
externally
adverb
Expressions
internal affairs
1/ɪntˈɚnəl əfˈɛɹz/
fixed phrase
Domestic matters of a country or group
Matters that happen inside a country or organization, not involving outsiders.
Examples
- The department handles all internal affairs of the organization.
- They insisted that foreign governments should not interfere in their internal affairs.
internal conflict
1/ɪntˈɚnəl kˈɑnflɪkt/
fixed phrase
Struggle within a person or group
A fight inside a person’s mind or inside a group between different sides.
Examples
- She experienced an internal conflict about whether to take the job.
- The political party is weakened by internal conflict.
internal investigation
1/ɪntˈɚnəl ɪnvˌɛstəɡˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Inquiry inside an organization
An official check done by people inside an organization, not by outsiders.
Examples
- The company launched an internal investigation into the allegations.
- An internal investigation revealed several breaches of policy.