intrinsically

American  

[in-trin-sik-lee, -zik] / ɪnˈtrɪn sɪk li, -zɪk /

adverb

1. by nature; as a necessary or inseparable element or quality.

   As intrinsically social beings, humans cannot achieve even basic survival without connecting and forming relationships with others.

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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."

Example Sentences

"It was an odd feeling to feel positive about an acknowledgement of something that was so intrinsically negative," she says.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

“The largest stocks are just safer,” Kritzman says—making them intrinsically well-diversified.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

"It's clear evidence that it's possible to reverse, intrinsically, certain age-associated disorders," Pinho said.

From Science Daily • Dec. 31, 2025

Tonatiuh: Well, the two films are intrinsically connected.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

If they are very far, they must be intrinsically extremely bright to be visible over such distances; some are as bright as a thousand supernovae exploding at once.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• actually
• approximately
• necessarily
• originally
• permanently
• quite
• really
• substantially
• truly
• typically
• virtually