inner

in‧ner S3 W2 /ˈɪnə $ -ər/ BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
[Language: Old English; Origin: innera, from inne 'inside']
1. on the inside or close to the centre of something OPP outer:
an inner room
inner London
the inner ear
2. inner thoughts or feelings are ones that you feel strongly but do not always show to other people:
Yoga gives me a sense of inner calm.
She’ll need great inner strength to get over the tragedy.
She never shared her inner thoughts with anyone.
3. relating to things which happen or exist but are not easy to see:
the inner workings of the film industry
the fascinating inner life of a political party
4. inner circle the few people in an organization, political party etc who control it or share power with its leader:
members of the president’s inner circle
5. sb’s inner voice thoughts or feelings inside your head which seem to warn or advise you:
My inner voice told me to be cautious.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

inner

inner [inner inners] [ˈɪnə(r)] [ˈɪnər] adjective only before noun
1. inside; towards or close to the centre of a place
• an inner courtyard
• inner London
• the inner ear

Opp: outer

2. (of feelings, etc.) private and secret; not expressed or shown to other people
• She doesn't reveal much of her inner self.
• An inner voice told him that what he was doing was wrong.
Word Origin:
Old English innerra, innra, comparative of in.
Example Bank:
• He has to fight an inner turmoil even to step onto a plane.

• She doesn't reveal much of her inner self.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

inner / ˈɪn.ə r / / -ɚ / adjective [ before noun ]

B2 inside or contained within something else:

Leading off the main hall is a series of small inner rooms.

humorous Few people ever managed to penetrate the director's inner sanctum (= very private room) .

B2 Inner feelings or thoughts are ones that you do not show or tell other people:

Sarah seemed to have a profound sense of inner peace.

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

inner

[ɪ̱nə(r)]

1) ADJ: ADJ n The inner parts of something are the parts which are contained or are enclosed inside the other parts, and which are closest to the centre.
  She got up and went into an inner office...
  Wade stepped inside and closed the inner door behind him.
  Ant:
  outer
2) ADJ: ADJ n Your inner feelings are feelings which you have but do not show to other people.
  Loving relationships that a child makes will give him an inner sense of security...
  Michael needed to express his inner tensions.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

inner

in·ner /ˈɪnɚ/ adj always used before a noun
1 : located toward the inside of something : not on or at the edge or outside of something
• She led the guests to an inner room.
• the inner face of the arch
• the inner lining of the jacket
- opposite outer
2 : not known to or seen by most people
• the poem's inner meaning
• He wanted to experience the inner workings of the political campaign. [=the parts of the campaign that are only known by the people who work on it]
3 a : of or relating to a person's mind or spirit
• inner peace/conflict
• his inner life/self
• listening to her inner voice
• a person's inner beauty
b : existing as a part of a person's character
• He's trying to get in touch with his inner artist. [=the part of his character that is artistic]