What does introvert mean?
Word: Introvert
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Introvert means a quiet person who feels most at ease alone or with a few close friends and tends to keep their thoughts to themselves.
Word origin: Built from Latin parts; the second comes from the verb vertere.
How do you spell introvert?
Syllables: in - tro - vert
Tricky part: The last part is vert, with the e of her; introvirt and introvurt are common slips because all three endings sound alike.
Watch out for: introvirt, introvurt
Memory tip: Say the end the way it is spelt in nerve and verb: the quiet introvert finishes with e, r, t.
Introvert in a sentence
Example 1: Tara is an introvert who would rather spend the lunch break sketching than chatting in a big group.
Example 2: Being an introvert did not stop Tara from giving a calm, clear speech at the debate.
Example 3: Many introverts recharge after a busy day with a book or a long walk.
Fun Fact
The Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung made the word widely known in the 1920s, as the name of one of two basic personality types.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) interval
b) intricate
c) intravert
d) intimate
Show answer
c) intravert. The word begins with intro, the same start as introduce.
Word Puzzle
Match each word with its meaning:
1. introvert 2. optimist 3. perfectionist a. someone who always expects things to turn out well b. someone who would choose a quiet evening with a book over a crowded party c. someone who is not satisfied until every detail is just right
a) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
b) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
c) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
d) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
Show answer
d) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c. The optimist looks on the bright side and the perfectionist chases flawless detail, which leaves the quiet evening for the introvert.
Back to the Roots
Introvert comes from ___ and it means ___.
1. Latin 2. Greek 3. French 4. German 5. turned inwards 6. spoken softly 7. looking ahead 8. kept apart
a) 1/6
b) 1/5
c) 3/7
d) 2/5
Show answer
b) 1/5. The Latin parts mean 'inwards' and 'to turn', so the word describes a mind turned inwards.
Word Tally
Give 2 marks for each correctly spelt word. What is the total?
introvert, rhythm, embarass, millennium, occurence
a) 6
b) 4
c) 8
d) 10
Show answer
a) 6. Embarrass and occurrence both need a double r; the other three words are right, and 3 x 2 = 6.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. At a crowded birthday party, what would an introvert usually choose to do?
a) ask every guest to join the dancing
b) give a long speech to the whole room
c) lead all the games and the singing
d) chat quietly with one or two friends
Show answer
d) chat quietly with one or two friends
2. Which quality would you most expect to find in an introvert?
a) a love of being in the spotlight
b) a need for constant company
c) a liking for calm and reflection
d) a habit of speaking before thinking
Show answer
c) a liking for calm and reflection
