extrinsic

American  

[ik-strin-sik, -zik] / ɪkˈstrɪn sɪk, -zɪk /

Archaic, extrinsical

adjective

1. not essential or inherent; not a basic part or quality; extraneous.

   facts that are extrinsic to the matter under discussion.

   Antonyms:

   intrinsic

2. being outside a thing; outward or external; operating or coming from without.

   extrinsic influences.

3. Anatomy. (of certain muscles, nerves, etc.) originating outside the anatomical limits of a part.

   Antonyms:

   intrinsic

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extrinsic British  

/ ɛkˈstrɪnsɪk /

adjective

1. not contained or included within; extraneous

2. originating or acting from outside; external

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Other Word Forms

• extrinsically adverb
• nonextrinsic adjective
• nonextrinsical adjective
• nonextrinsically adverb
• unextrinsic adjective

Etymology

Origin of extrinsic

First recorded in 1535–45; from Late Latin extrinsecus “outward,” adjective use of Latin extrinsecus (adverb) “on the outward side,” equivalent to extrim- ( ext(e)r “outer” ( see exterior) + -im adverb suffix) + secus “beside” (derivative of sequī “to follow”)

Explanation

Extrinsic means not connected to the essential nature of something. New cleats are extrinsic to making the soccer team. How you play is what gets you on the team, whether your cleats are old or new. If the ex in extrinsic makes you think of external or extra you’re on the right track––all these ex words are talking about something that is outside, or above and beyond. You often hear extrinsic paired with its opposite, intrinsic, which means part of something or someone's essential nature. If being sweet-tempered is intrinsic to your personality, you might not even know how to get mad.

Example Sentences

"In recognizing these species, we recognize how quickly they are becoming lost as extrinsic barriers are breached by human activities."

From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026

I couldn’t relate to whatever it was that pulled people back into the gloomy casinos over and over again, or what compelled them to place bets on games of little extrinsic consequence.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2024

They may simply be motivated to make you stop pestering them — in other words, their motivation is extrinsic, which tends not to last.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 15, 2024

An extrinsic orientation means doing things in the hope or expectation of other rewards, such as status, money and recognition.

From Salon • Sep. 16, 2023

The fall over the quarry indeed might have been serious, so too the sinking of the punt; but both those were extrinsic matters, and they might have fought twenty Pharsalias without such incidents.

From Bevis The Story of a Boy by Jefferies, Richard