intrinsic

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/ɪnˈtrɪn.zɪk/
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Belonging to what something is in itself, with uses ranging from everyday qualities and motivation to material properties, finance, anatomy, and geometry.
Practice using intrinsic in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • An intrinsic part of the culture is respect for elders.
  • The intrinsic conductivity of the semiconductor changes with doping.
  • Investors assess the intrinsic value of a stock before buying.
  • The intrinsic dimension of a dataset can be lower than its ambient dimension.
  • Foot intrinsic muscles support the arch during walking.

Similar words

underlying value
intra-organ
characteristic
self-motivated
inherent
fair value
inherent
within the part
coordinate-free
natural

Meanings

Inherent quality

adjective
everyday
neutral
Belonging to the basic nature of a person or thing, rather than being added from outside

Usage

Use intrinsic for qualities, value, interest, or importance that belong naturally to the thing itself.

Examples

  • The intrinsic beauty of the landscape captivated the hikers.
  • Her intrinsic kindness made her popular among colleagues.
  • The intrinsic value of honesty cannot be overstated.
  • An intrinsic part of the culture is respect for elders.
  • The plan had an intrinsic flaw that everyone overlooked.
  • The work has little intrinsic interest without the historical context.

Common mistakes

The adjective is used as a noun, or it is confused with extrinsic.
IncorrectCorrect
The intrinsic of the painting is its color. The intrinsic quality of the painting is its color.
She is intrinsic to the team. She is an intrinsic part of the team.
Intrinsic is a noun. Intrinsic is an adjective.
The reward gave the task intrinsic value. The task had intrinsic value before any reward was offered.

Similar words

inherent
innate
built-in
fundamental
essential
natural
inborn
core

Internal motivation

adjective
psychology
neutral
Driven by interest, enjoyment, or satisfaction in the activity itself, not by an outside reward

Usage

Use intrinsic with motivation, reward, or interest when the reason comes from within the activity.

Examples

  • Children often show intrinsic motivation when they play for the joy of it.
  • The course encouraged intrinsic interest in science.
  • Intrinsic rewards can make practice feel meaningful.
  • His intrinsic motivation faded when every task became a competition.
  • Reading for pleasure is a clear example of intrinsic motivation.
  • The study compared intrinsic and extrinsic reasons for learning.

Common mistakes

Intrinsic motivation is treated as any strong motivation, even when the reason is external.
IncorrectCorrect
Her intrinsic motivation was the cash prize. Her extrinsic motivation was the cash prize.
He was intrinsic motivated to study. He was intrinsically motivated to study.
The bonus created intrinsic motivation. The bonus created extrinsic motivation.
She had an intrinsic to learn music. She had an intrinsic motivation to learn music.

Similar words

internal
self-driven
self-motivated
inherent
natural
personal

Material property

adjective
technical
neutral
Describing a property that comes from a material's own composition or structure, not from impurities, size, or surroundings

Usage

Use intrinsic for material, electronic, or physical properties that belong to the substance itself.

Examples

  • The intrinsic conductivity of the semiconductor changes with doping.
  • Scientists measured the intrinsic resistance of the material.
  • The intrinsic hardness of diamond makes it useful for cutting tools.
  • The defect changed an otherwise intrinsic optical property.
  • The intrinsic color of the pigment remains stable in sunlight.
  • Researchers studied the intrinsic elasticity of the polymer.

Common mistakes

A property caused by contamination, sample shape, or outside conditions is called intrinsic.
IncorrectCorrect
The intrinsic of the metal changes with temperature. The intrinsic property of the metal changes with temperature.
We need to intrinsic the sample. We need to measure the sample's intrinsic property.
The coating is an intrinsic property of the alloy. The coating is an extrinsic feature of the alloy.
Intrinsic conductivity means conductivity caused by impurities. Intrinsic conductivity means conductivity of the pure material itself.

Similar words

inherent
essential
built-in
fundamental
internal
native
characteristic

Fundamental financial worth

adjective
business
neutral
Based on an asset's estimated real worth, especially from fundamentals, rather than its current market price

Usage

Use intrinsic in finance mainly in intrinsic value, for a calculated estimate of what an asset is worth.

Examples

  • Investors assess the intrinsic value of a stock before buying.
  • The company's patents may add to its intrinsic worth.
  • Option pricing models separate intrinsic value from time value.
  • A bond's intrinsic value can be estimated from its cash flows.
  • Analysts argued that the asset's intrinsic value exceeded its market price.
  • A margin of safety compares price with intrinsic value.

Common mistakes

The word value is dropped, or intrinsic value is treated as the same as market price.
IncorrectCorrect
The intrinsic of the stock is $50. The intrinsic value of the stock is $50.
Investors look at the intrinsic to decide. Investors look at the intrinsic value to decide.
Intrinsic value is always the market price. Intrinsic value can differ from the market price.
She calculated the intrinsic using a calculator. She calculated the intrinsic value using a valuation model.

Similar words

fundamental value
underlying value
real worth
true value
fair value

Contained within a body part

adjective
medical
technical
Originating inside a body, organ, or part, especially when a muscle begins and ends within the same structure

Usage

Use intrinsic in anatomy for muscles or causes that belong within the organ or body part being discussed.

Examples

  • The hand's intrinsic muscles control fine finger movements.
  • Foot intrinsic muscles support the arch during walking.
  • Physical therapy can strengthen weakened intrinsic muscles.
  • Surgeons must avoid damaging the intrinsic muscles during repair.
  • Athletes train the foot's intrinsic muscles to improve balance.
  • The intrinsic muscles of the tongue help shape speech sounds.

Common mistakes

Intrinsic muscles are confused with extrinsic muscles, or the adjective is used as a verb.
IncorrectCorrect
The intrinsic muscles are external muscles. The intrinsic muscles are internal muscles.
We need to intrinsic the foot. We need to strengthen the foot's intrinsic muscles.
Intrinsic hand muscles start in the forearm. Extrinsic hand muscles start in the forearm.
The surgeon removed the intrinsic muscles. The surgeon avoided damaging the intrinsic muscles.

Similar words

internal
contained
within the part
local
intra-organ

Independent of embedding

adjective
mathematics
technical
Depending only on an object's own geometry or structure, not on how it sits in a surrounding space

Usage

Use intrinsic for geometric, physical, or data properties defined without reference to an outside coordinate system.

Examples

  • Gaussian curvature is an intrinsic property of a surface.
  • Einstein's theory uses intrinsic properties of spacetime.
  • In differential geometry, an intrinsic metric defines distances on a manifold.
  • The intrinsic dimension of a dataset can be lower than its ambient dimension.
  • Computer graphics systems often estimate intrinsic properties of surfaces.
  • Intrinsic geometry lets the problem be solved without choosing an embedding.

Common mistakes

Intrinsic geometry is confused with extrinsic geometry, or the adjective is used as a standalone noun.
IncorrectCorrect
The intrinsic of the surface is its shape. The intrinsic curvature of the surface describes its shape.
Intrinsic geometry depends on the surrounding space. Intrinsic geometry is independent of the surrounding space.
We measured the intrinsic to find the dimension. We measured the intrinsic dimension of the data.
Intrinsic and extrinsic properties are the same. Intrinsic and extrinsic properties are different.

Similar words

internal
coordinate-free
embedding-independent
inherent
native
structural

Usage

Use intrinsic when the quality, value, cause, or property belongs to the thing itself rather than coming from outside it.

Common mistakes

Intrinsic is used as a noun, or it is confused with extrinsic, which means outside or externally added.

Etymology

From Old French intrinseque, from Latin intrinsecus, meaning "inwardly" or "on the inside".

FAQ

What does intrinsic mean?

Intrinsic means belonging to the essential nature of something, not added from outside.

What is the opposite of intrinsic?

The usual opposite is extrinsic, meaning external or coming from outside.

Is intrinsic a noun?

Intrinsic is normally an adjective. Phrases such as intrinsic value or intrinsic property need a noun after it.

What does intrinsic value mean?

Intrinsic value is an estimate of real worth, often based on fundamentals rather than market price.

What is intrinsic motivation?

Intrinsic motivation is motivation that comes from enjoyment or interest in the activity itself.

What are intrinsic muscles?

Intrinsic muscles are located within the body part or organ they move, such as many small muscles of the hand.

What is an intrinsic property in science?

An intrinsic property belongs to the material or system itself, not to impurities, sample shape, or outside conditions.

Where does intrinsic come from?

Intrinsic comes through French from Latin intrinsecus, meaning "inwardly" or "on the inside".

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