Introspective
/ˌɪn.trəˈspɛk.tɪv/noun
Tending to examine one’s own thoughts and feelings.
Did you know?The core of this word comes from Latin *specere*, “to look,” the same root behind *spy*, *spectacle*, and *inspect*—so introspection is basically inner surveillance.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
introspectus
“looked into; examined inwardly”
Late Latin
Latin
introspectio
“a looking into oneself”
17th Century
English
introspection
“self-examination or inward observation”
19th Century
English
introspective
“characterized by introspection; inward-looking”
Modern English
English
introspective
“inclined to examine one’s own mental processes and feelings”