within
[wɪðˈɪn] /wi-ˈt͟hin -ˈthin/ (ame, mw) · /wɪˈðɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [wɪðˈɪn] /wɪˈðɪn/ (ame, ipa)
within — adverb
1. in the inner part of a space, object, or area, rather than on its outer surface
in the inner part of a space, object, or area, rather than on its outer surface or outside it
The old house looked plain outside, but within the walls were covered with colourful paintings.
adverb position at the start of a clause
Élise opened the wooden chest and discovered a silk scarf hidden within.
The envelope was sealed with wax, and within lay a single handwritten letter.
Renata cracked the nut and found the seed within still fresh and edible.
- inside
more common in everyday speech; 'within' sounds more formal or literary
- internally
more technical and often used for systems or the body
- outside
on the exterior rather than in the inner part
用法筆記
As an adverb, 'within' usually follows the main verb or appears at the beginning of a clause. It is more formal and less common than 'inside' for describing physical position.
2. in a person's private thoughts, feelings, or character, even if this is not show
in a person's private thoughts, feelings, or character, even if this is not shown outwardly
Saira smiled during the meeting, but within she was deeply worried.
contrast between outward appearance and inner feeling
Pedro remained calm for the children, though within he felt close to panic.
The audience saw a confident speaker, yet within Caleb still doubted himself.
Isabela thanked everyone politely, while within she carried a quiet anger.
- outwardly
showing something in visible behaviour rather than only in private feeling
用法筆記
This literary sense contrasts hidden feelings with what other people can see. Distinguish it from adverb sense 1, which refers to physical interior space.
within — preposition
1. before a given time limit ends, or no farther away than a stated distance from a
before a given time limit ends, or no farther away than a stated distance from a location
The package should arrive within three working days, according to the tracking information.
within + time period for deadline
Diya lives within walking distance of the main train station in Taipei.
within + distance for accessibility
Kwame completed the marathon within four hours despite the hot weather.
Xiu promised to finish the report within a week and delivered it two days early.
It is rare to see snow within a hundred kilometres of the equator.
文法句型
within + [time period]
within + [distance] of + [place]
用法筆記
For time, 'within' focuses on the endpoint (not later than) rather than during the whole period. Compare: 'I will finish it within an hour' (before one hour passes) vs 'I will finish it in an hour' (after one hour).
常見錯誤
2. not exceeding what is permitted by laws, rules, budgets, or other controlling st
not exceeding what is permitted by laws, rules, budgets, or other controlling standards
The company must operate within the environmental regulations set by the government.
within + regulations for legal compliance
Quinn ensured that every expense stayed within the budget approved by the board.
Staying within the speed limit is required by law in every country.
The judge ruled that the protest was within the rights protected by the constitution.
Constanza kept the project costs completely within the agreed financial limits.
- inside
more general and less formal; 'within' is preferred in official or rule-based contexts
- in accordance with
more formal and refers specifically to rules or procedures
- under
common in legal language: 'under the law', 'under the terms of the agreement'
- outside
beyond the permitted limits
- beyond
exceeding the allowed range or boundary
- contrary to
in violation of rules or standards
文法句型
within + [limit/rule/budget/law]
用法筆記
Frequently followed by nouns of control such as 'budget', 'law', 'regulations', 'guidelines', 'rules', 'limits', or 'bounds'. This sense often appears in formal or professional contexts.
常見錯誤
3. contained in the inner area or boundaries of a particular place, object, or body
contained in the inner area or boundaries of a particular place, object, or body part
The Watanabe family kept their emergency supplies within the basement at all times.
Dr. Okafor found a small tumour within the patient's right lung.
within + body part in medical context
There is a hidden compartment within the old wooden desk that Grandpa built.
Birds had built a nest within the hollow trunk of the oak tree.
The architect designed a small garden within the central courtyard of the building.
- inside
the everyday alternative; far more frequent in spoken English
- in
shorter and more casual; used for simple location
- enclosed within
emphasises that something is fully surrounded, often used in formal descriptions
文法句型
within + [place/object/area]
用法筆記
For physical locations, 'inside' is far more common in everyday conversation. 'Within' in this sense sounds more formal or technical and is typical in medical, architectural, or geographical writing.
常見錯誤
within — noun
1. the inside part or inner area of something, especially when compared with its ou
the inside part or inner area of something, especially when compared with its outside
The cabin looked rough from the road, but the within was warm and clean.
the within used as a literary noun
The shell was cracked, yet the within still protected the seed.
Sunlight passed through the stained glass and brightened the church's within.
The jar seemed plain outside, but the within shone with gold leaf.
- outside
the outer part rather than the inner area
文法句型
the within of + [object/place]
用法筆記
This noun is uncommon and literary. It is usually preceded by "the" and often appears when a writer contrasts an outside view with what is inside.
within — adjective
- withinpositive
- more withincomparative
- most withinsuperlative
1. located on the inside or enclosed by something around it
located on the inside or enclosed by something around it
The guards waited in the within court until the gates opened at dawn.
within used before a noun in a literary style
A lamp burned beside the within wall of the narrow cave.
The queen was escorted to the within chamber of the palace for safety.
Ivy spread across the within face of the stone arch.
- outer
on the outside rather than enclosed within
文法句型
within + [noun]
用法筆記
This adjective is rare and literary. Modern everyday English usually prefers "inner" or "inside" instead.