insight
IHN-syt
Insight (noun) means a clear, often sudden, understanding of the true nature of something. Example: “Talking to the old fisherman gave me a sudden insight into the village's past.”
noun
1
A clear, often sudden, understanding of the true nature of something.
"Talking to the old fisherman gave me a sudden insight into the village's past."
"Her years in the industry gave her real insight into how the market works."
"Reading his diary offered fresh insight into the writer's state of mind."
2
A person's awareness of their own condition, especially a mental health condition.
"Therapy helped her gain insight into her anxiety and recognise its early signs."
"Doctors noted that the man lacked insight and did not believe he was unwell."
"The patient showed good insight into how his illness affected his behavior."
How to use insight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA deep, accurate understanding of what's really going on beneath the surface.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
gain insight
valuable insight
insight into
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Word forms
- Plural
- insights
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Can you complete this real example?
Talking to the old fisherman gave me a sudden _____ into the village's past.
Etymology
From Middle English insight, built from in- + sight — literally a "seeing into" something.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “insight” mean?
The word “insight” means a clear, often sudden, understanding of the true nature of something. In plain terms, a deep, accurate understanding of what's really going on beneath the surface.
How do you pronounce “insight”?
“Insight” is pronounced IHN-syt (/ˈɪnsaɪ̯t/ in IPA).
How do you use “insight” in a sentence?
Here is “insight” used in a sentence: “Her years in the industry gave her real insight into how the market works.”
What part of speech is “insight”?
“Insight” is a noun.
Where does the word “insight” come from?
The word “insight” comes from Middle English. From Middle English insight, built from in- + sight — literally a "seeing into" something.
Is “insight” a common word?
“Insight” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “insight” have?
“Insight” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a clear, often sudden, understanding of the true nature of something.
What is the difference between "insight" and "intuition"?
"Insight" is a clear, often sudden understanding of the true nature of something, usually based on careful thought or observation. "Intuition" is a sense of knowing that arises without conscious reasoning. Insight tends to explain why something is true, while intuition simply senses that it is.
What preposition follows "insight" — "insight into" or "insight on"?
The standard collocation is "insight into," as in "insight into human behaviour." "Insight on" is sometimes heard informally, but "into" is the preferred and more widely accepted preposition.
What is the difference between "insight" and "hindsight"?
"Insight" is a clear understanding of the true nature of something, which can come at any time. "Hindsight" is understanding gained only after an event has happened, as in "in hindsight, the mistake was obvious."
How is "insight" used in psychology or mental health?
In psychology, "insight" describes a person's awareness and understanding of their own condition, especially a mental health condition. A patient with limited insight may not recognise that they are unwell, which can affect their treatment.
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