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 : occurring as a natural part of something
the intrinsic worth of the company
the intrinsic brightness of a star
Yet there's also an intrinsic understanding between the actors, who like to pick up each other's trains of thought and seamlessly steam ahead.—
Thomas Floyd
Thomas FloydBeyond their intrinsic value, there's a strong emotional aspect to these small and special adornments.—Laird Borrelli-Persson
Laird Borrelli-Persson
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
The brain bug's intrinsic ick factor is undeniably high, but using their proboscises to suck thoughts directly from the brains of their unfortunate victims is a pretty neat party trick.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
If humans have zero intrinsic value, and corporations derive value only from human spending, then the sum total of economic value is also zero.
—Andrew Behar, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
Third, Cramer said investors need to consider whether there are intrinsic reasons for Nvidia’s performance.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
None of the company’s intrinsic features has changed since April to justify this multiple.
—Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intrinsic
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Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
If humans have zero intrinsic value, and corporations derive value only from human spending, then the sum total of economic value is also zero.
—Andrew Behar, Fortune, 1 Apr. 2026
Third, Cramer said investors need to consider whether there are intrinsic reasons for Nvidia’s performance.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
None of the company’s intrinsic features has changed since April to justify this multiple.
—Joseph M. Singer, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intrinsic
Cite this Entry
“Intrinsic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intrinsic. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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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