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
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 sense 1b
Synonyms
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
Across its intrinsic advantages – a deep local market with a young population, a growing venture capital ecosystem, real exits, and government support, the next few years in Middle East fintech generally, and in Saudi specifically are sure to be interesting.
—Alex Lazarow, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
These stars flicker at a rate that relates to (and can therefore reveal) their intrinsic luminosity.
—Liz Kruesi, WIRED, 8 Sep. 2024
The shares pay no dividend, are nontransferable outside of passing to a child or relative and do not have any intrinsic market value.
—Jake Piazza, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2024
However, unlike the original, Anno’s approach taps into the body horror of the core concept, while also challenging his characters—and audience—to hang onto their intrinsic humanity in the face of a world trying to dehumanize them.
—Matt Kamen, WIRED, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for intrinsic 
Alex Lazarow, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
These stars flicker at a rate that relates to (and can therefore reveal) their intrinsic luminosity.
—Liz Kruesi, WIRED, 8 Sep. 2024
The shares pay no dividend, are nontransferable outside of passing to a child or relative and do not have any intrinsic market value.
—Jake Piazza, CNBC, 6 Sep. 2024
However, unlike the original, Anno’s approach taps into the body horror of the core concept, while also challenging his characters—and audience—to hang onto their intrinsic humanity in the face of a world trying to dehumanize them.
—Matt Kamen, WIRED, 26 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for intrinsic
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intrinsic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near intrinsic
Cite this Entry
“Intrinsic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intrinsic. Accessed 17 Sep. 2024.
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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