intrinsic

adjective

in·​trin·​sic in-ˈtrin-zik  -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

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

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

Recent Examples on the Web

But the label’s intrinsic modernity also seems to happily coexist with its deep, winding roots. —Leah Dolan, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025

This illustrates the intrinsic, expensive difficulty of intercepting even dummy intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). —Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 19 Feb. 2025

While standard qubits have two spin states—an intrinsic property of particles that can be likened to tiny spinning magnets—the heavy antimony atom has eight possible nuclear spin states. —IEEE Spectrum, 5 Feb. 2025

Like Interstellar, Inception benefits from qualities that have become intrinsic to Nolan’s DNA as a filmmaker, particularly his use of larger-than-life visuals to tell stories stranger than fiction. —Yasmeen Hamadeh, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French intrinsèque internal, from Late Latin intrinsecus, from Latin, adverb, inwardly; akin to Latin intra within — more at intra-

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing intrinsic

• intrinsic factor

Rhymes for intrinsic

• extrinsic

Kids 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

intrinsically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

intrinsic

adjective

in·​trin·​sic in-ˈtrin-zik  -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