introvert and extrovert

2 synonyms for introvert and extrovert, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A pair of personality types describing where a person's energy is directed: an introvert is drawn inward and is recharged by quiet and solitude, while an extrovert is drawn outward and is recharged by company and activity.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

personality types temperaments

How to use introvert and extrovert

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

introvert vs extrovert classic introvert natural extrovert introvert and extrovert traits

Everyday and popular-psychology usage; clinical psychology prefers the broader trait term extraversion.

Etymology

Both are built from Latin vertere 'to turn': intro- 'inward' plus vertere, and extra- 'outside' plus vertere. So the words literally mean inward-turned and outward-turned.

Full origin of introvert and extrovert →

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between an introvert and an extrovert?

The core difference is where each gets their energy. An introvert is drained by prolonged social contact and restored by time alone, while an extrovert is energised by being around other people and can feel flat in isolation. It is about recharging, not about how much either one likes people.

Is an introvert the same as being shy?

No. Shyness is anxiety about being judged in social situations; introversion is a preference for lower stimulation. Plenty of introverts are confident public speakers who simply need quiet afterwards, and some extroverts are genuinely shy.

What is an ambivert?

An ambivert sits between the two, comfortable with company and with solitude and shifting depending on the situation. Most people fall somewhere in the middle of the scale rather than at either extreme.

Where do these terms come from?

They come from Latin roots meaning turned inward and turned outward, and entered everyday English through twentieth-century psychology, particularly the work of Carl Jung on psychological types.

Nearby words

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