If something has intrinsic value or intrinsic interest, it is valuable or interesting because of its basic nature or character, and not because of its connection with other things.
[formal]
The paintings have no intrinsic value except as curiosities.
The rate is determined by intrinsic qualities such as the land's slope.
Synonyms: essential, real, true, central More Synonyms of intrinsic
Sometimes I wonder if people are intrinsically evil.
It was intrinsically a very powerful ship.
Synonyms: essentially, basically, fundamentally, constitutionally More Synonyms of intrinsic
intrinsic in British English
(ɪnˈtrɪnsɪk) or intrinsical
adjective
1.
of or relating to the essential nature of a thing; inherent
2. anatomy
situated within or peculiar to a part
intrinsic muscles
Derived forms
intrinsically (inˈtrinsically)
adverb
Word origin
C15: from Late Latin intrinsecus from Latin, inwardly, from intrā within + secus alongside; related to sequī to follow
intrinsic in American English
(ɪnˈtrɪnsɪk; ɪnˈtrɪnzɪk)
adjective
1.
belonging to the real nature of a thing; not dependent on external circumstances; essential; inherent
2. Anatomy
located within, or exclusively of, a part
Also ; Archaic inˈtrinsical see also extrinsic
Derived forms
intrinsically (inˈtrinsically)
adverb
intrinsicalness (inˈtrinsicalness)
noun
Word origin
LME intrinsique < MFr intrinsèque < LL intrinsecus, inward < L, inwardly < intra-, within (see intra-) + secus, following: see extrinsic
Examples of 'intrinsic' in a sentence
intrinsic
Obviously it has an intrinsic value.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There's an intrinsic value in nature that sometimes gets ignored.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
I love that you say we need intrinsic value.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
This show requires us to study our intrinsic human nature.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They should consider the intrinsic value of waste.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The dogs were an intrinsic part of that world.
Jan Fennell FRIENDS FOR LIFE (2003)
The extent to which an option is in the money is called its intrinsic value.
Maurice D. Levi International Finance: The markets and financial management of multinational business. (1983)
Science is one of the few endeavours in which they are an intrinsic part of the fabric.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Recognition and reward have become an intrinsic part of the company.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Correct appearances were considered an intrinsic part of their social obligations.
Higonnet, Anne Berthe Morisot (1990)
An intrinsic part of budgeting is keeping costs down.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The intrinsic nature of victimization of this sort suggests that such individuals are likely to be few and far between.
Walklate, Sandra Victimology - the victim and the criminal justice process (1989)
But human beings possess volition and require the motivation of intrinsic interest, not instructional software.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
But despite its intrinsic interest, this is not an engaging letter.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
In our society we've become used to things that have no intrinsic value.
Christianity Today (2000)
First, wildlife has an intrinsic value of its own.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I was constantly surrounded by people who were such an intrinsic part of my life.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It is that intrinsic value that matters, not any paltry contribution they might make to the national economy.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
If the stock price is less than the intrinsic value, the stock is undervalued and investors should buy it.
John Cassidy DOT.CON (2001)
It is quite another to conclude from the capacity for evil that forms an intrinsic part of the human condition that all are equally infamous.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
The big point is to see the world not simply as useful to us, but as something with its own intrinsic value.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Often the best jobs, in terms of intrinsic interest and career experience, do not pay.
Steinberg, Laurence & Levine, Ann You and Your Adolescent: A Parents' Guide for Ages 10 to 20 (1990)
It's an impressive feat of narrative skill, quite apart from the intrinsic interest of the story itself.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
The Japanese held on to that aspect most intrinsic in their character: the will to adapt to changed circumstances and survive.
Abshire, David M. Preventing World War III - A Realistic Grand Strategy (1988)
It is hard to find many on the Left who will say this, or will argue the intrinsic connection between peace and human rights.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It is intrinsic to the nature of the Union that we have plural political identities, and this has demanded a tolerance and openness to others.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
intrinsic
British English: intrinsic ADJECTIVE
If something has intrinsic value or intrinsic interest, it is valuable or interesting because of its basic nature or character, and not because of its connection with other things.
The paintings have no intrinsic value except as curiosities.
American English: intrinsic
Brazilian Portuguese: intrínseco
Chinese: 内在的
European Spanish: intrínseco
French: intrinsèque
German: immanent
Italian: intrinseco
Japanese: 本質的な
Korean: 본래의
European Portuguese: intrínseco
Latin American Spanish: intrínseco
All related terms of 'intrinsic'
intrinsic value
The value of something such as a quality, attitude , or method is its importance or usefulness. If you place a particular value on something, that is the importance or usefulness you think it has.
intrinsic factor
a glycoprotein , secreted by the stomach , the presence of which is necessary for the absorption of cyanocobalamin ( vitamin B 12 ) in the intestine
intrinsic motivation
If you are motivated by something, especially an emotion , it causes you to behave in a particular way.
intrinsic semiconductor
an almost pure semiconductor to which no impurities have been added and in which the electron and hole densities are equal at thermal equilibrium
i-type semiconductor
an almost pure semiconductor to which no impurities have been added and in which the electron and hole densities are equal at thermal equilibrium
(adjective)
Definition
essential to the real nature of a thing
Diamonds have little intrinsic value.
Synonyms
essential
Two essential elements must be proven: motive and opportunity.
real
true
I allowed myself to acknowledge my true feelings.
central
a central part of government policy
natural
He has a natural flair for business.
basic
Access to justice is a basic right.
radical
the radical differences between them
native
Her conversation revealed no education but much native wit and shrewdness.
genuine
They are convinced the painting is genuine.
fundamental
the fundamental principles of democracy
constitutional
built-in
These corporations enjoy substantial built-in advantages.
underlying
To stop a problem you have to understand its underlying causes.
inherent
the dangers inherent in an outbreak of war
elemental
the elemental theory of music
congenital
She has a congenital disease.
inborn
It is clear that the ability to smile is inborn.
inbred
behaviour patterns that are inbred
Opposites
added
,
acquired
,
artificial
,
incidental
,
extraneous
,
appended
,
extrinsic
Additional synonyms
in the sense of basic
Definition
of or forming a base or basis
Access to justice is a basic right.
Synonyms
fundamental,
main,
key,
essential,
primary,
vital,
principal,
constitutional,
cardinal,
inherent,
elementary,
indispensable,
innate,
intrinsic,
elemental,
immanent
in the sense of built-in
Definition
essential
These corporations enjoy substantial built-in advantages.
Synonyms
essential,
integral,
included,
incorporated,
inherent,
implicit,
in-built,
intrinsic,
inseparable,
immanent
in the sense of central
Definition
main or principal
a central part of government policy
Synonyms
main,
central,
chief,
key,
essential,
primary,
principal,
fundamental,
focal
Synonyms of 'intrinsic'
intrinsic
Explore 'intrinsic' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of congenital
Definition
(of an abnormal condition) existing at birth but not inherited
She has a congenital disease.
Synonyms
inborn,
innate,
inherent,
hereditary,
natural,
constitutional,
inherited,
inbred,
hard-wired
in the sense of constitutional
Definition
inherent in the nature of a person or thing
Synonyms
inherent,
organic,
intrinsic,
congenital,
inborn,
immanent
in the sense of elemental
the elemental theory of music
Synonyms
basic,
essential,
principal,
fundamental,
elementary
in the sense of fundamental
Definition
essential or primary
the fundamental principles of democracy
Synonyms
central,
first,
most important,
prime,
key,
necessary,
basic,
essential,
primary,
vital,
radical,
principal,
cardinal,
integral,
indispensable,
intrinsic
in the sense of genuine
Definition
real and exactly what it appears to be
They are convinced the painting is genuine.
Synonyms
authentic,
real,
original,
actual,
sound,
true,
pure,
sterling,
valid,
legitimate,
honest,
veritable,
bona fide,
dinkum (Australian, New Zealand, informal),
pukka,
the real McCoy
in the sense of inborn
Definition
existing from birth
It is clear that the ability to smile is inborn.
Synonyms
natural,
inherited,
inherent,
hereditary,
instinctive,
innate,
intuitive,
ingrained,
congenital,
inbred,
native,
immanent,
in your blood,
hard-wired,
connate
in the sense of inbred
Definition
inborn or ingrained
behaviour patterns that are inbred
Synonyms
innate,
natural,
constitutional,
native,
ingrained,
inherent,
deep-seated,
immanent,
hard-wired
in the sense of inherent
Definition
existing as an inseparable part
the dangers inherent in an outbreak of war
Synonyms
intrinsic,
natural,
basic,
central,
essential,
native,
fundamental,
underlying,
hereditary,
instinctive,
innate,
ingrained,
elemental,
congenital,
inborn,
inbred,
inbuilt,
immanent,
hard-wired,
connate,
inherited,
in your blood
in the sense of native
Definition
natural or inborn
Her conversation revealed no education but much native wit and shrewdness.
Synonyms
original,
natural,
built-in,
inherited,
inherent,
natal,
hereditary,
instinctive,
innate,
intrinsic,
endemic,
ingrained,
congenital,
inveterate,
inbred,
immanent,
hard-wired,
genuine
in the sense of natural
Definition
not acquired
He has a natural flair for business.
Synonyms
innate,
native,
characteristic,
indigenous,
inherent,
natal,
instinctive,
intuitive,
congenital,
inborn,
immanent,
in your blood,
hard-wired,
essential
Additional synonyms
in the sense of radical
Definition
searching or thorough
the radical differences between them
Synonyms
fundamental,
natural,
basic,
essential,
native,
constitutional,
organic,
profound,
innate,
deep-seated,
thoroughgoing,
hard-wired
in the sense of true
Definition
real or genuine
I allowed myself to acknowledge my true feelings.
Synonyms
actual,
real,
natural,
pure,
genuine,
proper,
authentic,
dinkum (Australian, New Zealand, informal),
dinky-di (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of underlying
Definition
fundamental
To stop a problem you have to understand its underlying causes.