inherent

adjective

in·​her·​ent in-ˈher-ənt 

also

-ˈhir- 

: belonging to the basic nature of something or someone : involved in the constitution or essential character of something : intrinsic

risks inherent in the venture

a belief in the inherent goodness of people

problems inherent in the design

There is an inherent sweetness to all of the characters, and to the show.

—Bill Goodykoontz

inherently adverb

Did you know?

Don't Get Stuck on the Meaning of Inherent

Inherent literally refers to something that is "stuck in" something else so firmly that they can't be separated. A plan may have an inherent flaw that will cause it to fail; a person may have inherent virtues that everyone admires. Since the flaw and the virtues can't be removed, the plan may simply have to be thrown out and the person will remain virtuous forever.

Synonyms of inherent

• intrinsic
• integral
• essential

Examples of inherent in a Sentence

It is one more proof that our world has lost the kind of exquisite sensibility displayed by John Milton when he came up with his definition of poetry. He first wrote "simple, sensual, and passionate," but he was bothered by the grossness inherent in "sensual," and so he invented the word "sensuous." —Florence King, National Review, 24 Sept. 2007

There were those who trusted the innate goodness of humanity, and those who believed in its inherent crookedness. —Terry Eagleton, Harper's, March 2005

The problem … is inherent and perennial in any democracy, but it has been more severe in ours during the past quarter-century because of the near universal denigration of government, politics and politicians. —Michael Kinsley, Time, 29 Oct. 2001

He has an inherent sense of fair play.

an inherent concept of justice

Recent Examples on the Web

While Polato said customers choose the fabrics for wool’s inherent tangible qualities like softness and warmth, they’re also drawn to its exclusive nature. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 2025

No doubt there are many ick factors inherent in the Oscar-winning duet made famous by Dean Martin and Marilyn Maxwell and covered by seemingly everyone with vocal cords. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025

Advertisement Jackson’s campaigns explicitly threatened the natural order of things, the power brokers, and the fear inherent in modern Democratic politics of a cautious moderate voter who might be repelled by a big tent revival style politics of candidates Jackson and Mamdani. —Abby Phillip, Time, 4 Dec. 2025

The frogposting mode is fascinating because it’s seemingly embraced primarily by the hyper-diverse and accepting youth of today despite its inherent backwards-looking qualities. —Hazlitt, 3 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin inhaerent-, inhaerens, present participle of inhaerēre — see inhere

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inherent

• adherent
• coherent
• incoherent

Kids Definition

inherent

adjective

in·​her·​ent in-ˈhir-ənt 

-ˈher-

: belonging to or being a part of the nature of a person or thing

an inherent sense of fair play

fluidity is an inherent quality of gas

inherently adverb

Medical Definition

inherent

adjective

in·​her·​ent in-ˈhir-ənt  in-ˈher- 

: involved in the constitution or essential character of something : belonging by nature

the skin's inherent elasticity

—Kathleen C. Engles

inherently adverb