intrinsic
gb/ɪntɹˈɪnsɪk/ us/ɪntɹˈɪnsɪk/
C1
English
~ 7200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
belonging naturally; essential
Being a natural, basic part of something, not coming from outside.
Usage pattern:
[something] is intrinsic to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "intrinsic" when they only mean "very important". "Intrinsic" should be used when something is a natural, built-in part of something, not just important. It is also often confused with "instinctive", which means something you do automatically without thinking.
Synonyms
inherent (Very close in meaning; also formal and often used in similar abstract contexts.)
|
essential (Focuses more on being necessary; less strongly about being part of something’s nature.)
|
fundamental (Emphasizes being basic or foundational, not always about being natural or built-in.)
Antonyms
extrinsic (Describes something coming from outside, not a natural part of the thing itself.)
|
external (Stresses being on the outside or from outside, instead of being built into something’s nature.)
Collocations
intrinsic quality
|intrinsic part
|intrinsic feature
|intrinsic value
|intrinsic worth
|intrinsic interest
Themes
thinking
|science
|philosophy
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Risk is intrinsic to any new business venture.
- Curiosity is an intrinsic quality of good scientists.
- The intrinsic value of the painting goes beyond its market price.
- The story explores themes that are intrinsic to human experience.
- These problems are intrinsic to the current political system.
Learner examples
- Change is intrinsic to life.
- Honesty was an intrinsic part of her character.
- Some stress is intrinsic to this job.
- The joy of learning is intrinsic to the course.
- The color is an intrinsic quality of the stone.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
coming from within, not outside
Coming from inside a person or thing, not because of outside rewards, pressure, or help.
Usage pattern:
intrinsic [abstract noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "intrinsic motivation" with "strong motivation". Intrinsic motivation is motivation that comes from inside the person (for example, because the activity is interesting), not from outside rewards like money or grades. Do not say *"very intrinsic motivation"* when you mean "very strong motivation".
Synonyms
internal (Focuses on being inside; less specific about being a source of motivation or value.)
|
innate (Suggests something you are born with, which may or may not be related to current inner motivation or value.)
|
self-motivated (Used mainly about people; highlights personal drive rather than the inner quality of an activity or thing.)
Antonyms
extrinsic (Used especially in psychology and education to describe motivation or rewards that come from outside, like money or grades.)
|
external (General word for coming from outside rather than from within the person or thing.)
Collocations
intrinsic motivation
|intrinsic reward
|intrinsic value
|intrinsic interest
|intrinsic goal
|intrinsic satisfaction
Themes
psychology
|education
|business
|core_vocabulary
|emotions
Examples
- Students with strong intrinsic motivation keep studying even when no one is watching.
- The company tries to build intrinsic rewards into the job, such as autonomy and a sense of purpose.
- He believes art has intrinsic value, even if it never sells.
- Her intrinsic interest in the subject made the long hours of research enjoyable.
- Effective teachers tap into learners’ intrinsic curiosity.
Learner examples
- She learns English from intrinsic motivation, not for a test.
- Money is an extrinsic reward; joy in the work is intrinsic.
- The game gives children intrinsic pleasure.
- He thinks helping others has intrinsic value.
- Good leaders try to increase workers’ intrinsic motivation.
adjective
technical
C2
property
3
located within the same body part
In medicine, used about muscles or parts that are inside the body part where they work, not coming from outside it.
Usage pattern:
intrinsic [anatomical noun]
Common mistake:
Learners may think "intrinsic" here just means "important" or "basic". In anatomy, it has a specific meaning: the structure is inside the body part it affects, and is contrasted with "extrinsic" structures.
Synonyms
internal (General word for inside the body or organ; does not specifically contrast with extrinsic muscles.)
Antonyms
extrinsic (In anatomy, describes muscles that start outside the body part they move.)
Collocations
intrinsic muscles of the hand
|intrinsic foot muscles
|intrinsic back muscles
|intrinsic laryngeal muscles
Themes
medicine
|biology
|health
|science
Examples
- The intrinsic muscles of the hand allow for fine finger movements.
- Weakness in the intrinsic foot muscles can contribute to balance problems.
- The surgeon carefully separated the intrinsic back muscles during the procedure.
Learner examples
- The doctor talked about the intrinsic muscles of the hand.
- These exercises help the intrinsic muscles in your feet.
- Intrinsic back muscles support the spine.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intrinsic
IPA
GB/ɪntɹˈɪnsɪk/
US/ɪntɹˈɪnsɪk/
Syllables & stress
in - trins - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (trins)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: intrinsic
Word family
Core family
intrinsically
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
extrinsic
adjective
extrinsically
adverb
Expressions
intrinsic motivation
1/ɪntɹˈɪnsɪk mˌoʊtəvˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
motivation that comes from within
Wanting to do something because you enjoy it or find it meaningful, not because of outside rewards like money, grades, or praise.
Examples
- Teachers try to build intrinsic motivation so students learn because they are curious, not just for good grades.
- Her intrinsic motivation to help others led her to volunteer every weekend.
- Games can increase intrinsic motivation when they make learning feel fun and interesting.
intrinsic property
1/ɪntɹˈɪnsɪk pɹˈɑpɚti/
fixed phrase
formal
property independent of context
A feature of a thing that it has by itself, no matter where it is or what it is next to, for example its mass or chemical structure.
Examples
- Mass is an intrinsic property of an object, while weight depends on gravity.
- Philosophers debate which moral features of actions count as intrinsic properties.
- Color can be treated as an intrinsic property in some models but not in others.
intrinsic value
1/ɪntɹˈɪnsɪk vˈælju/
fixed phrase
formal
value something has in itself
How much something is worth by itself, not because of outside things like market price, other people’s opinions, or extra benefits.
Examples
- Many investors try to calculate a stock’s intrinsic value instead of just looking at the current market price.
- He argues that nature has intrinsic value, even if it brings no direct economic benefit.
- The intrinsic value of friendship cannot be measured in money.