inside out

adverb

Synonyms of inside outnext
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

Synonyms of inside out

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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.
After pretreating any stains, baby and toddler clothing is best turned inside out before washing in the machine. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026 By then, the conventional album cycle—record, finish, promote, release—had effectively been turned inside out. — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Professional players have no excuse for not knowing the laws of the game inside out, yet only a tiny proportion will have read them — some will know the rules of golf better. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 For the drawstring casing, turn the pouch inside out, fold down the cut edge 1/2 inch, iron it, then fold down the new edge 1 1/2 inches, and iron that. — Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for inside out

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Browse Nearby Words

inside of
inside out
inside-out flower
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Cite this Entry

“Inside out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inside%20out. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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