intrinsic

[ in-trin-sik, -zik ]

/ ɪnˈtrɪn sɪk, -zɪk /

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See synonyms for: intrinsic / intrinsically on Thesaurus.com

adjective

belonging to a thing by its very nature: the intrinsic value of a gold ring.

Anatomy. (of certain muscles, nerves, etc.) belonging to or lying within a given part.

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OTHER WORDS FOR intrinsic

1 native, innate, natural, true.

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OPPOSITES FOR intrinsic

1, 2 extrinsic.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of intrinsic

First recorded in 1480–90; Middle English intrinsique “inner,” from Old French intrinseque “internal, inner,” from Late Latin intrinsecus “inward” (adjective), from Latin intrinsecus “on the inside, inwards” (adverb), equivalent to intrin- (from int(e)r-, as in interior + -im, an old accusative ending used as an adverb suffix + secus “beside,” derivative of sequī “to follow”)

synonym study for intrinsic

1. See essential.

OTHER WORDS FROM intrinsic

in·trin·si·cal·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH intrinsic

inherent, internal, intrinsic

Words nearby intrinsic

intricate, intrigant, intrigue, intrigued, intriguing, intrinsic, intrinsically, intrinsic factor, intrinsic semiconductor, intro, introduce

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use intrinsic in a sentence

These considerations are key when choosing personalized gifts for those you care about, because the crux of joy in receiving a gift comes from the intrinsic change that the gift provides in someone’s daily experience.
The best, most practical Valentine’s Day gifts for any kind of partner|PopSci Commerce Team|February 8, 2021|Popular-Science
At some point, however, intrinsic value will have to matter, and when it does those in the sector will be forced to show they have credible plans in place for existential dangers on the horizon.
As ad tech surges, challenges remain — and not just from the coronavirus pandemic|Seb Joseph|January 5, 2021|Digiday
Such medals have an intrinsic value estimated at about $10,000.
Jack Steinberger, Nobel laureate in physics, dies at 99|Martin Weil|December 17, 2020|Washington Post
He spoke of 3- and 4-year-olds who’d tell him, “I’m not a boy” or “I’m not a girl,” suggesting that their identity had nothing to do with the environment, but was intrinsic.
Catherine Dulac Finds Brain Circuitry Behind Sex-Specific Behaviors|Claudia Dreifus|December 14, 2020|Quanta Magazine

They have no intrinsic loyalty to the United States—that’s how they’re constructed and organized.
The system is ‘rigged’: Robert Reich on the Supreme Court, economic inequality, and his Twitter beef with Elon Musk|reymashayekhi|October 12, 2020|Fortune
It continues to be the official position that “being open to life” is “an intrinsic requirement of married love.”
What’s the Catholic Church’s Problem With Couples Without Children?|Candida Moss, Joel Baden|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, they have to have intrinsic and distinctive qualities.
Nationalism on Four Wheels|Clive Irving|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They do not reflect any intrinsic or insurmountable military advantage.
Stop the ISIS War Before It Gets Worse!|Jeffrey Sachs, Michael Shank|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As a jazz lover, I want people to embrace the music for its intrinsic qualities, not its symbolic resonance.
Jazz (The Music of Coffee and Donuts) Has Respect, But It Needs Love|Ted Gioia|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Through this, an active role is given to the spectator, who has inadvertently become an intrinsic part of the artwork.
10 Works to See at the Armory Show in New York City|Justin Jones|March 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After the first novelty is over, no place can please, except either by its intrinsic beauty, or the happy effect of habit.
Travels through the South of France and the Interior of Provinces of Provence and Languedoc in the Years 1807 and 1808|Lt-Col. Pinkney
Calais, has no such intrinsic charms, and I was not disposed to try the result of the latter.
Travels through the South of France and the Interior of Provinces of Provence and Languedoc in the Years 1807 and 1808|Lt-Col. Pinkney
Nine hundred and ninety-nine out of a thousand judge by names and not by intrinsic worth.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician|Frederick Niecks
Friedrich Wilhelm, both by his intrinsic qualities and the success he met with, deserves it better than most.
History Of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. III. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle
It is the intrinsic nature of belief that will concern us to-day.
The Analysis of Mind|Bertrand Russell

British Dictionary definitions for intrinsic

intrinsic

intrinsical

/ (ɪnˈtrɪnsɪk) /

adjective

of or relating to the essential nature of a thing; inherent

anatomy situated within or peculiar to a partintrinsic muscles

Derived forms of intrinsic

intrinsically, adverb

Word Origin for intrinsic

C15: from Late Latin intrinsecus from Latin, inwardly, from intrā within + secus alongside; related to sequī to follow

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

intrinsic

COMPARE MEANINGS

OTHER WORDS FOR intrinsic

OPPOSITES FOR intrinsic

Origin of intrinsic

synonym study for intrinsic

OTHER WORDS FROM intrinsic

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH intrinsic

Words nearby intrinsic

Words related to intrinsic

How to use intrinsic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for intrinsic

intrinsical

Derived forms of intrinsic

Word Origin for intrinsic