intrinsic
adjective
in·trin·sic
in-ˈtrin-zik 
-ˈtrin(t)-sik
-ˈtrin(t)-sik
1
a
: belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing
the intrinsic worth of a gem
the intrinsic brightness of a star
b
: being or relating to a semiconductor in which the concentration of charge carriers is characteristic of the material itself instead of the content of any impurities it contains
2
a
: originating or due to causes within a body, organ, or part
an intrinsic metabolic disease
b
: originating and included wholly within an organ or part
intrinsic muscles
compare extrinsic sense 1b
Synonyms
Examples of intrinsic in a Sentence
He is the ideal courtier. His nobility is intrinsic, and so he can drape himself in this purple cloak of tasteful modernity, make a cocktail of past and present, the cream of both.
—
Noah Charney, The Art Thief, 2007
Subatomic particles have an intrinsic orientation known as spin, which can point in one of two directions, conventionally called "up" and "down."
—Abraham Loeb, Scientific American, November 2006
Yet despite the digital culture's endless celebrations of diversity … there is a certain mindless repetition intrinsic to the Internet, where ideas and software multiply a thousandfold with one click; where the lure of wider communication drives users toward an ultimate "interoperability" and, hence, toward an ultimate uniformity.
—Julian Dibbell, Harper's, August 2001
the intrinsic value of a gem
the intrinsic brightness of a star
Noah Charney, The Art Thief, 2007
Subatomic particles have an intrinsic orientation known as spin, which can point in one of two directions, conventionally called "up" and "down."
—Abraham Loeb, Scientific American, November 2006
Yet despite the digital culture's endless celebrations of diversity … there is a certain mindless repetition intrinsic to the Internet, where ideas and software multiply a thousandfold with one click; where the lure of wider communication drives users toward an ultimate "interoperability" and, hence, toward an ultimate uniformity.
—Julian Dibbell, Harper's, August 2001
the intrinsic value of a gem
the intrinsic brightness of a star
Recent Examples on the Web
This slow but steady loss is driven by both intrinsic aging and external stressors.
—Eva Crouse, Flow Space, 6 Jan. 2025
Some will argue that comparing bitcoin to gold isn’t fair since the latter is a physical asset that does have intrinsic value from its use in numerous technology products, including semiconductors, and other industrial applications.
—Taesik Yoon, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Challengers think individuals have an intrinsic right to grow and that learning must support their development.
—Gianpiero Petriglieri, Harvard Business Review, 1 Jan. 2025
While the ball from Gibson’s home run was never found, Freeman’s blast was corralled by 10-year-old Zachary Ruderman, whose family sold it at auction for $1.56 million, a shred of its intrinsic value.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for intrinsic 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Eva Crouse, Flow Space, 6 Jan. 2025
Some will argue that comparing bitcoin to gold isn’t fair since the latter is a physical asset that does have intrinsic value from its use in numerous technology products, including semiconductors, and other industrial applications.
—Taesik Yoon, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Challengers think individuals have an intrinsic right to grow and that learning must support their development.
—Gianpiero Petriglieri, Harvard Business Review, 1 Jan. 2025
While the ball from Gibson’s home run was never found, Freeman’s blast was corralled by 10-year-old Zachary Ruderman, whose family sold it at auction for $1.56 million, a shred of its intrinsic value.
—Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for intrinsic
Dictionary Entries Near intrinsic
Cite this Entry
“Intrinsic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intrinsic. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intrinsic
adjective
in·trin·sic
in-ˈtrin-zik
-ˈtrin(t)-sik
: belonging to the essential nature of a thing
the intrinsic value of a gem
Medical Definition
intrinsic
adjective
in·trin·sic
in-ˈtrin-zik
-ˈtrin(t)-sik
-ˈtrin(t)-sik
1
: originating or due to causes or factors within a body, organ, or part
intrinsic asthma
2
: originating and included wholly within an organ or part
—used especially of certain muscles
the cricothyroid is an intrinsic muscle of the larynx
compare extrinsic sense 2
Legal Definition
intrinsic
adjective
in·trin·sic
in-ˈtrin-zik, -sik
: belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share