What does intrinsicality mean?
Intrinsicality is the abstract noun for the quality of being intrinsic: belonging to a person, thing, idea, or work by its own nature rather than through something external. A question about a work’s intrinsicality may ask whether its value, meaning, or significance derives from features within the work itself, as opposed to its popularity, market value, social context, or usefulness. The word is especially associated with philosophical and literary debate, including discussions of intrinsic value and intrinsic meaning. It is related to the familiar adjective intrinsic but is considerably less common, so ordinary writing will usually prefer intrinsic character, inherent quality, or essential nature. Intrinsicality is nevertheless useful when the discussion concerns the status or philosophy of a property rather than simply identifying it. The term emphasizes the distinction between qualities rooted within something and qualities that arise from external circumstances or judgments.
nounThe quality or state of being intrinsic; the inherent or essential character of a thing, person, or idea.
- The inherent or essential quality of a thing, person, idea, or work.
"The essay questions the intrinsicality of the painting, arguing that its significance lies in its own visual language rather than in the social status of its subject."
"The lecture examined the intrinsicality of moral judgment, asking whether an action can have value apart from its consequences."
"Her novel is celebrated for the intrinsicality of its characters, whose identities remain coherent without explanation from the surrounding plot."
The plural is grammatically regular but exceptionally rare in use.
"The study compares different accounts of the intrinsicalities of works of art."
Intrinsicality names what belongs to something from within, rather than what the outside world adds to it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intrinsicality come from?
The word was formed in English by adding the suffix -ality to the adjective intrinsic, turning a quality into an abstract noun. Intrinsic was borrowed in the early 17th century from French intrinsèque, from the Latin adverb intrinsecus, meaning “inwardly” or “internally.” That Latin word is related to intus, meaning “inside,” and provides the etymological contrast with extrinsecus, “outwardly.” Intrinsicism and intrinsicist are later philosophical derivatives of the same English base.
How intrinsicality is actually used
This is a rare, formal, and abstract noun, used chiefly in philosophical, aesthetic, and literary discussion. It is less usual than the adjective intrinsic and often carries an intellectual or theoretical tone.
Easily confused with intrinsicality
Intrinsic is the standard adjective for something inherent or essential, whereas intrinsicality is the rare noun naming that quality.