intrinsic

play

adjective in·trin·sic \ in-ˈtrin-zik , -ˈtrin(t)-sik \

Definition of intrinsic

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 1b

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intrinsically

play \in-ˈtrin-zi-k(ə-)lē, -ˈtrin(t)-si-\ adverb

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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 of intrinsic from the Web

Use your intrinsic rationality for practical magic and incorporate your artistic sensibility in any domestic transformations.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What This Week's Horoscope Means for You," 21 Aug. 2017
The discovery of the tumor led to a biopsy in March that revealed Maven was suffering from diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas, or DIPG, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

— kathleen mcwilliams, Courant Community, "Wethersfield 6-Year-Old With Brain Cancer Seeking Treatment In London," 3 Aug. 2017
You're highly motivated by the intrinsic satisfaction of accomplishing your work.

— Philly.com, "Horoscopes: Thursday, August 3, 2017," 3 Aug. 2017
Again, the cap had no intrinsic value and the birds didn’t know of Kabadayi would return with food.

— ed yong, The Atlantic, "Ravens Can Plan for the Future," 13 July 2017
Japan's approach to stewardship of its land and water resources is distinct from that of the U.S. As an island nation with a millennia-long history, the concepts of reuse, repurposing and multiple use are intrinsic to Japanese culture.

— sam hall, Bloomberg.com, "Japan's Renewable-Energy Revolution," 13 July 2017
Intrinsic value will catch up with the high flyers eventually.

— aaron pressman, Fortune, "Data Sheet—Monday, July 10, 2017," 10 July 2017
Cable television and radio talk shows also had become an intrinsic part of the national baseball conversation, adding to the breadth—a nd volume—o f the chatter accompanying the game.

— john eisenberg, SI.com, "Comparing six major points of the Lou Gehrig and Cal Ripken Jr. consecutive-games streaks," 4 July 2017
That public authority worked hard to understand all the assets that the city and port owned and then managed them strategically, selling off some and redeveloping others, to unlock their intrinsic value.

— john gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "Lessons for Detroit: Copenhagen unlocks value of public land to create public benefits," 1 July 2017

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