inherent

[in-her-uhnt, -heer-]

adjective

1. existing in someone or something as a permanent and inseparable element, quality, or attribute; inhering.

   an inherent distrust of strangers.

   Synonyms: ingrained, inbred, native, innate

2. Grammar.,  standing before a noun.

inherent

/ ɪnˈhɪərənt, -ˈhɛr- /

adjective

1. existing as an inseparable part; intrinsic

Other Word Forms

• inherently adverb
• noninherent adjective
• uninherent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inherent¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin inhaerent- (stem of inhaerēns ), present participle of the verb inhaerēre inhere; -ent

Synonym Study

See essential.

Example Sentences

“What we went to in the text was less the text itself and more the thematics that are inherent in the text.”

Read more on Salon

The producers said their gruesome portrayals of bear attacks were not gratuitous violence but a form of artistic expression "inherent to a monster thriller".

Read more on Barron's

In stark contrast with the album’s bombastic, top-10 title track, the early version of “Born in the USA” featured on “Nebraska ’82” oozes with the pain, heartbreak and disillusion inherent in the song’s lyrics.

Read more on Salon

On the other side, the fragmented opposition movement has been hampered by inherent weaknesses.

Read more on BBC

He also said it underscored the risks inherent in that dependency.

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Related Words

• built-in 
• constitutional 
• deep-rooted 
• deep-seated 
• essential 
• fundamental 
• genetic 
• implicit 
• ingrained 
• innate 
• instinctive 
• internal 
• intrinsic 
• latent 
• natural