intrinsic
Intrinsic refers to a quality or characteristic that is an essential and natural part of something. It describes properties that are inherent to an object or person, rather than being added or influenced by external forces.
Examples
3 of 5The intrinsic beauty of the forest is what draws so many hikers to the area.
The natural and essential beauty of the woods attracts many people.
The court ruled that certain rights are intrinsic to the concept of human dignity.
The legal body decided some rights are an inseparable part of human dignity.
I love playing guitar for the intrinsic joy it brings me, not for the fame.
I enjoy music for the internal happiness it creates, not for external rewards.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'IN-trinsic' as 'IN-side'. It is the value or quality that is already inside the thing, not something given to it from the outside.
Quick Quiz
The ______ value of the gold coin is much higher than its face value.
Correct!
The correct answer is: intrinsic
Examples
The intrinsic beauty of the forest is what draws so many hikers to the area.
everydayThe natural and essential beauty of the woods attracts many people.
The court ruled that certain rights are intrinsic to the concept of human dignity.
formalThe legal body decided some rights are an inseparable part of human dignity.
I love playing guitar for the intrinsic joy it brings me, not for the fame.
informalI enjoy music for the internal happiness it creates, not for external rewards.
Scientists are trying to determine the intrinsic properties of the new element.
academicResearchers are identifying the fundamental characteristics of the substance.
When evaluating the stock, we looked at the company's intrinsic value rather than its current market price.
businessWe looked at the actual underlying worth of the business instead of its trading price.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
intrinsic motivation
Doing an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for some separable consequence.
intrinsic part
A portion of something that is necessary for it to be complete.
intrinsic to
Being an extremely important and basic characteristic of a person or thing.
Often Confused With
Extrinsic refers to things coming from the outside, while intrinsic refers to things coming from within.
Intense refers to great energy or strength, whereas intrinsic refers to an essential nature.
Usage Notes
Use 'intrinsic' when you want to emphasize that a quality is inseparable from the thing itself. It is highly common in psychology, philosophy, and economics to contrast with 'extrinsic' factors.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'intrinsic' as a verb because it sounds like one, but it is strictly an adjective. Also, ensure not to confuse it with 'intriguing', which means interesting.
Memory Tip
Think of 'IN-trinsic' as 'IN-side'. It is the value or quality that is already inside the thing, not something given to it from the outside.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'intrinsecus', meaning 'inwardly' or 'on the inside'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western education and management, 'intrinsic motivation' is a major cultural concept used to describe the ideal type of interest in work or learning.
Quick Quiz
The ______ value of the gold coin is much higher than its face value.
Correct!
The correct answer is: intrinsic
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