indoors
ihn-DAWZ
Indoors (adverb) means Inside a building, rather than outside. Example: “It started raining, so we headed indoors.”
adverb
1
Inside a building, rather than outside.
"We went indoors when it started to rain."
"It started raining, so we headed indoors."
"We stayed indoors to avoid the brutal heat."
"Please bring the washing indoors before the storm arrives."
"The cat prefers to stay indoors when it's cold."
noun
1
The inside of a building or buildings in general.
"She preferred the indoors to the heat of the yard."
"I prefer the indoors to the outdoors."
How to use indoors
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInside, not outside — usually describing where someone is or goes.
Easily confused with
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It started raining, so we headed _____.
Etymology
From "in" plus "doors," originally the two-word phrase "within doors."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for indoors
See all rhymes for indoors →Frequently asked questions
What does “indoors” mean?
The word “indoors” means inside a building, rather than outside. In plain terms, inside, not outside — usually describing where someone is or goes.
How do you pronounce “indoors”?
“Indoors” is pronounced ihn-DAWZ (/ɪnˈdɔɹz/ in IPA).
How do you use “indoors” in a sentence?
Here is “indoors” used in a sentence: “It started raining, so we headed indoors.”
What is the opposite of “indoors”?
The opposite of “indoors” — its antonyms — is outdoors.
What part of speech is “indoors”?
Depending on how it is used, “indoors” can be an adverb and a noun.
Is “indoors” a common word?
“Indoors” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “indoors” have?
“Indoors” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: inside a building, rather than outside.
What is the difference between "indoors" and "inside"?
"Indoors" specifically means inside a building rather than outside, and is typically used with movement or location verbs like "stay indoors" or "come indoors." "Inside" is broader and can refer to the interior of any object or space, not just buildings.
Is "indoors" used with a preposition, as in "go to indoors"?
No, "indoors" is an adverb that already carries the meaning of location, so it doesn't take "to" before it. You simply say "go indoors" or "stay indoors," without an extra preposition.
Can "indoors" be used as a noun?
Yes, though less commonly, "the indoors" can refer to the inside of a building or buildings in general, as in "she preferred the indoors to the garden."
