intrinsically
Americanadverb
Etymology
Origin of intrinsically
First recorded in 1545–55; intrinsic ( def. ) + -ally ( def. )
Explanation
Use the adverb intrinsically to describe things that are a vital, important, or natural part of something. For example, great teachers are intrinsically associated with a great school. Something that is intrinsic is an essential part of a whole, so intrinsically describes something closely connected to or inseparable from something. For example, if you believe people are intrinsically good, you think goodness is a part of being human. The Latin root is intrinsecus, which means "inwardly, on the inside."
Vocabulary lists containing intrinsically
George Washington's Farewell Address (1796)
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Freakonomics
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167 Vocabulary words from the Supreme Court's DOMA Decision
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"The FPF is preparing for this moment without dramatising it. Cristiano will always be intrinsically linked not to the federation, but to Portugal as a country," Proenca said at a recent event.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
He is intrinsically linked to a dark period in the club's history, whether he knew about the spying or not.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
His answer, that cloud computing “is not intrinsically privileged in any case,” is a non sequitur.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
"It's clear evidence that it's possible to reverse, intrinsically, certain age-associated disorders," Pinho said.
From Science Daily • Dec. 31, 2025
With DNA too, Watson and Crick realized, the form of the molecule had to be intrinsically linked to function.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
