intern
Intern (noun) means a student or recent graduate working temporarily, often unpaid or low-paid, to gain experience. Example: “She spent the summer as an intern at a marketing agency.”
How to use intern
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a trainee gaining work experience, or (as a verb) to confine someone by force.
These two meanings — "trainee" and "to confine by force" — come from the same root but are unrelated in modern use; context makes clear which is meant.
Word forms
more intern comparative, interned past tense, interned past tense, interns plural, interns plural, interns singular, interns singular, most intern superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She spent the summer as an _____ at a marketing agency.
Etymology
From French interner, from interne ("inner, internal"), from Latin internus.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “intern” mean?
The word “intern” means a student or recent graduate working temporarily, often unpaid or low-paid, to gain experience. In plain terms, either a trainee gaining work experience, or (as a verb) to confine someone by force.
How do you pronounce “intern”?
“Intern” is pronounced ihn-TURN (/ɪnˈtɝn/ in IPA).
How do you use “intern” in a sentence?
Here is “intern” used in a sentence: “She spent the summer as an intern at a marketing agency.”
What part of speech is “intern”?
Depending on how it is used, “intern” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “intern” come from?
The word “intern” comes from Latin. From French interner, from interne ("inner, internal"), from Latin internus.
Is “intern” a common word?
“Intern” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “intern” have?
“Intern” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a student or recent graduate working temporarily, often unpaid or low-paid, to gain experience.
What is the difference between an intern and an apprentice?
An intern is typically a student or recent graduate working temporarily, often unpaid or low-paid, to gain experience, frequently in office, corporate, or professional settings. An apprentice usually trains in a skilled trade under a more structured, longer-term arrangement that often includes formal certification at the end.
Why does intern have two such different verb meanings?
As a verb, intern can mean to work as an intern, gaining experience in a field, or it can mean to imprison or confine someone, often without trial, especially during wartime. These are unrelated meanings that happen to share the same spelling, so context determines which sense applies.
Is an internship the same as a job?
An internship is a temporary position, often for a student, aimed primarily at gaining work experience rather than long-term employment, and it may be unpaid or paid less than a standard job. Some internships lead to full-time job offers, but the primary purpose is training and experience rather than ongoing employment.