inside out

adverb

1
: in such a manner that the inner surface becomes the outer
turned the shirt inside out
2
: to a thorough degree
knows the subject inside out
3
: in or into a state of disarray often involving drastic reorganization
turned the business inside out

Examples of inside out in a Sentence

after 20 years of employment there, he has come to know the company inside out
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sky View Tents Sky View ultimately turned the tent inside out, developing an interior rain fly system that works almost like an A-frame shower curtain. New Atlas, 2 June 2025 What if Durham’s vision for the sequel could be turned inside out, undergoing a transformation like The Greatest from retrospective to comeback, elegy to unfinished story. Melina Moe may 19, Literary Hub, 19 May 2025 The lure of Bayern is that Wirtz knows the Bundesliga inside out and if anything, joining a more dominant force will make his life easier. Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 May 2025 Remove any surface dirt, empty the pockets, close zippers to prevent snags, and turn the jacket inside out to protect the outer fabric. Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for inside out

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inside out was circa 1600

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inside out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inside%20out. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

inside out

adverb
1
: in such a way that the inner surface becomes the outer
2
: to a thorough degree
knows the family history inside out

More from Merriam-Webster on inside out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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