intrinsic

Belonging naturally to something as an essential part of it.

• Trust is intrinsic to friendship.
• The stone has little intrinsic value.
• Curiosity is intrinsic to the way children learn.

How to use it: intrinsic to something (Risk is intrinsic to this kind of work.)

Similar words: inherent, essential, innate

Opposites: extrinsic

Common phrases: intrinsic to something, intrinsic value, intrinsic quality, intrinsic worth

A programming function that a compiler handles directly instead of calling separate library code.

• The compiler supports this intrinsic.
• We used an intrinsic to speed up the calculation.
• Some intrinsics work only on particular processors.

Similar words: intrinsic function, compiler intrinsic

Common phrases: compiler intrinsic, use an intrinsic, vector intrinsic

An ability a game character has without needing to wear or carry special equipment.

• My character gained a useful intrinsic.
• This intrinsic protects her from poison without special clothing.
• Some monsters can remove a player’s intrinsics.

Similar words: innate ability

Common phrases: gain an intrinsic, fire resistance intrinsic