Meaning & use
intrinsic
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Meaning
adjectivenot comparable
Belonging to something as a basic, essential, and permanent part of its nature.
Grammar: Usually stands before a noun or after be, and it is commonly followed by to when naming the whole.
Patterns
- intrinsic to something
- intrinsic value
- intrinsic motivation
- intrinsic quality
Curiosity is intrinsic to human nature.
The ring had little intrinsic value but great sentimental value.
Her intrinsic motivation came from love of the subject, not grades.
Common combinations
- intrinsic value
- Experts argued that the painting's intrinsic value was greater than its market price.
- intrinsic motivation
- Teachers try to build intrinsic motivation by making tasks meaningful.
- intrinsic to something
- Trust is intrinsic to any lasting friendship.
- intrinsic properties
- The lab measured the material's intrinsic properties.
Synonyms and how they differ
- inherent
- Very close; inherent stresses something naturally belonging to a thing, often with less direct contrast to outside reward.
- innate
- Mainly for abilities or qualities present from birth, especially in people and animals.
- essential
- Means absolutely necessary; intrinsic means built into the nature of the thing.
Opposites
Word family
- intrinsically adverb
- by its own basic nature
- extrinsic adjective
- coming from outside rather than from within
Commonly confused: intrinsic or inherent?
intrinsic vs inherent
Both mean built in; intrinsic is more often contrasted with extrinsic, while inherent is a broader formal synonym.
Practice
The diary's importance came from its ___ meaning, not from its price.
Choose one answer.
Intrinsic meaning comes from within the object or idea. Extrinsic is the direct opposite, and borrowed or temporary do not describe essential inner value.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “intrinsic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.