inherent

adjective

in·​her·​ent in-ˈher-ənt 

also

-ˈhir- 

: involved in the constitution or essential character of something : belonging by nature or habit : intrinsic

risks inherent in the venture

inherently adverb

Did you know?

Don't Get Stuck on the Meaning of Inherent

Inherent literally refers to something that is "stuck in" something else so firmly that they can't be separated. A plan may have an inherent flaw that will cause it to fail; a person may have inherent virtues that everyone admires. Since the flaw and the virtues can't be removed, the plan may simply have to be thrown out and the person will remain virtuous forever.

Synonyms

• built-in
• constitutional
• constitutive
• essential
• hardwired
• immanent
• inborn
• inbred
• indigenous
• ingrain
• ingrained
• engrained
• innate
• integral
• intrinsic
• native
• natural

Examples of inherent in a Sentence

It is one more proof that our world has lost the kind of exquisite sensibility displayed by John Milton when he came up with his definition of poetry. He first wrote "simple, sensual, and passionate," but he was bothered by the grossness inherent in "sensual," and so he invented the word "sensuous." —Florence King, National Review, 24 Sept. 2007

There were those who trusted the innate goodness of humanity, and those who believed in its inherent crookedness. —Terry Eagleton, Harper's, March 2005

The problem … is inherent and perennial in any democracy, but it has been more severe in ours during the past quarter-century because of the near universal denigration of government, politics and politicians. —Michael Kinsley, Time, 29 Oct. 2001

He has an inherent sense of fair play.

an inherent concept of justice

Recent Examples on the Web

There is nothing inherent in manufacturing and services that make productivity gains different in one sector relative to the other. —Bill Conerly, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

Roberson’s innocence claim underscores an inherent risk of capital punishment: A potentially innocent person could be put to death. —Dakin Andone, CNN, 17 Oct. 2024

While tennis-core has reduced this to knitwear and preppy stripes, there is an inherent implication that tennis is reserved for society’s elite. —Essence, 17 Oct. 2024

And the fact is, MLB and its TV partners could well prefer the Dodgers playing the Yankees with all the inherent story lines. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin inhaerent-, inhaerens, present participle of inhaerēre — see inhere

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

inherent

adjective

in·​her·​ent in-ˈhir-ənt 

-ˈher-

: belonging to or being a part of the nature of a person or thing

an inherent sense of fair play

fluidity is an inherent quality of gas

inherently adverb

Medical Definition

inherent

adjective

in·​her·​ent in-ˈhir-ənt  in-ˈher- 

: involved in the constitution or essential character of something : belonging by nature

the skin's inherent elasticity

—Kathleen C. Engles

inherently adverb