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

"Does that leak into the defence industry? I'd say yes, it's intrinsically linked."

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2026

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

From Science Daily • Dec. 31, 2025

For you, either as an actor or a singer, can you relate to that feeling of it being intrinsically a part of who you are and the fear of never doing it again?

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

With enough computing power, even jobs that seem intrinsically human, such as a therapist, could be done better by machines, he concludes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 18, 2025

The holiday it gave was perfect and, if the morning after was disagreeable, it was so, not intrinsically, but only by comparison with the joys of the holiday.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

Related Words

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