intrinsically

IPA/ɪnˈtrɪnzɪkli/
KK[ˌɪntrˈɪnsɪkəli]IPA/ɪnˈtrɪnzɪkli/

intrinsically — adverb

1. through someone's or something's own inner nature, not because of outside pressu

1.adverbC1
Definition

through someone's or something's own inner nature, not because of outside pressure, reward, or added circumstances

Example

Mina is intrinsically curious about how old radios work.

intrinsically + adjective describing an inborn trait

Omar prized the clay cup because it was intrinsically valuable to him.

intrinsically valuable = valuable in itself

Common collocations
  • intrinsically valuable
  • intrinsically important
  • intrinsically motivated
  • intrinsically unsafe
  • value something intrinsically
Synonyms
  • inherently

    very close in meaning; slightly more common in general formal prose

  • essentially

    can mean at the deepest level, but also often means basically

  • naturally

    less formal and more likely to suggest an expected result

Antonyms
  • extrinsically

    because of outside rewards, conditions, or influences

  • externally

    broader opposite when the contrast is simply inside versus outside

Grammar Patterns

intrinsically + adjective

value + noun + intrinsically

intrinsically + past participle

Usage Note

Most common in formal or analytical writing, especially before adjectives like valuable, important, or unsafe, or in phrases about motivation and worth. It often contrasts with outside causes or rewards, so writers use it when they want to stress that a quality belongs to the thing itself.

Common Mistakes

The rule is intrinsic fair.
The rule is intrinsically fair.
use the adverb before an adjective; intrinsic is the adjective form.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

`Intrinsically` and `inherently` both say that a quality belongs to something by its own nature, not because of outside influence. `Inherently` is a little broader and more common in formal everyday English, while `intrinsically` often sounds more analytical and is frequent in writing about value, motivation, ethics, or design. `Essentially` can overlap, but it often shifts toward the meaning `basically`, so it is less precise when you want to stress inner nature. `Naturally` is much more everyday and often points to what is expected to happen, not necessarily to a deep built-in quality. A teacher might say children are `intrinsically` curious, a scientist might call a property `inherently` unstable, and a friend might simply say it `naturally` happened that way.

intrinsically ↗inherently ↗essentially ↗naturally ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • intrinsically valuable
  • intrinsically important
  • intrinsically motivated
  • value something intrinsically

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Built in English from the adjective `intrinsic` plus the adverb ending `-ally`. `Intrinsic` came through French from late Latin `intrinsecus`, meaning `on the inside` or `inwardly`, from `intra` (`within`) and `secus` (`alongside` or `following`). The adverb developed to describe value, motivation, or qualities that belong to something by its own nature.