What is a word with the root word -vert- which describes someone as being sometimes extroverted and sometimes introverted?

Answer 1

I don't believe that such a term exists. If it does, it isn't in any kind of popular use.

I came upon this question while researching the Keirsey Temperament Sorter, which categorizes personality on four fundamental axes... one of which is 'Extroversion' and 'Introversion'.

I suppose that, to do some home-grown word-crafting, you could call someone that is occasionally extroverted and occasionally introverted an 'omnivert'... perhaps even an 'ambivert'. These aren't real words according to the dictionary, but their construction is otherwise consistent with accepted conventions of the English language.

However, I would say that such a term is of very limited value, primarily because it is superfluous when one understands the actual definitions of "introvert" and "extrovert". People that are "extroverts" are, by definition, merely predisposed to be extroverted. Likewise, "introverts" aren't people that are exclusively introverted... they merely tend to have a natural preference toward introversion.

In short, the terms 'introvert' and 'extrovert' cover the whole range of possibilities. For instance, an individual that describes themselves as 55% extroverted and 45% introverted is, by definition, an 'extrovert'. Similarly, one that feels that they are 52% introvert and 48% extrovert is, technically, an 'introvert'. This is because each term merely indicates a predispositiontoward internalizing or externalizing. Since, in both of these instances, the individual felt one or the other to be more dominant in some way that they were compelled to take into account, it is most likely the one which they prefer, and thus the one that best represents them and their natural preference.

A term such as 'omnivert' has no usefulness since it refers to everyone. All individuals, whether 'extroverts' or 'introverts' are 'omniverted'... sometimes aimed outwardly, sometimes aimed inwardly. One of these will always be more predominate, though. Whichever that is, be it extroversion or introversion, is a much better desciptor of that individual.