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
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
Unlike gem-setting, where there is intrinsic value to the precious stones and metal, enamel’s base material is inexpensive glass.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2025
But even without an antibody treatment, our group has found that opening the blood-brain barrier with focused ultrasound alone induces an intrinsic immune response in the brain that reduces beta amyloid and tau.
—Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2025
Although skills can be learned through both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, intrinsic learning often leads to deeper, more lasting knowledge.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
The answer, which intrigued Stone, was that awards were often doled out to films for reasons beyond just their intrinsic merits.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intrinsic
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Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2025
But even without an antibody treatment, our group has found that opening the blood-brain barrier with focused ultrasound alone induces an intrinsic immune response in the brain that reduces beta amyloid and tau.
—Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2025
Although skills can be learned through both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, intrinsic learning often leads to deeper, more lasting knowledge.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
The answer, which intrigued Stone, was that awards were often doled out to films for reasons beyond just their intrinsic merits.
—Marc Tracy, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intrinsic
Cite this Entry
“Intrinsic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intrinsic. Accessed 10 Apr. 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
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