SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

immanent

adjective im·ma·nent \ ˈi-mə-nənt \

Definition of immanent

1 :indwelling, inherent

beauty is not something imposed but something immanent
—Anthony Burgess

2 :being within the limits of possible experience or knowledge — compare transcendent

—

immanently

adverb

Examples of immanent in a Sentence

a question as to whether altruism is immanent in all individuals or is instead acquired from without

Recent Examples of immanent from the Web

Robinson’s fiction also exposes the vexed terms of our devotion to the wonders of the immanent world.

— leslie jamison, The Atlantic, "The Power of Grace," 17 Sep. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'immanent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of immanent

Late Latin immanent-, immanens, present participle of immanēre to remain in place, from Latin in- + manēre to remain — more at mansion

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1535

See Words from the same year

immanent Synonyms

Synonyms

built-in, constitutional, constitutive, essential, hardwired, inherent, inborn, inbred, indigenous, ingrain, ingrained (also engrained), innate, integral, intrinsic, native, natural

Antonyms

adventitious, extraneous, extrinsic

Related Words

basic, deep-rooted, elemental, fundamental; congenital, hereditary, inherited, inmost, inner, interior; internal; characteristic, distinctive, peculiar; habitual, inveterate; normal, regular, typical

Near Antonyms

alien, foreign; accidental, coincidental, incidental; acquired, adscititious; superficial, surface; exterior, external

Learn More about immanent

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for immanent Britannica English: Translation of immanent for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up immanent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

hew

play

to conform or adhere

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59e900afadac6

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

In the past, you could invent fruit.

alt-59e8c3440f453

I'll Have the Us(ual)

Shortening 'usual': easy to say, hard to spell

alt-59e77dc36c593

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

From the front hallways to the back rooms

alt-59e673567065d

The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Noah Webster first entered the term in 1840

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

one-green-toy-robot-amidst-many-red-toy-robots

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

Take the quiz

knupfer-painting-solon-before-croesus

Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game

Examples: immanent in a Sentence