Definition of EXTRINSIC

a

: not forming part of or belonging to a thing : extraneous

b

extrinsic, extraneous, foreign, alien mean external to a thing, its essential nature, or its original character.

extrinsic applies to what is distinctly outside the thing in question or is not contained in or derived from its essential nature.

sentimental value that is extrinsic to the house's market value

arguments extraneous to the issue

techniques foreign to French cuisine

a practice totally alien to her nature

You have to consider any extrinsic factors in the success of the business. the fact that the ring belonged to your grandmother is extrinsic to its value to a jeweler

Recent Examples on the Web

And that is not something extrinsic, imposed by regulation or taxation, but inherent to the way the company conceives of itself, its ownership structure, its governance, its performance metrics, its finances — everything. —Iese Business School, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 Those sensors detect the subtle vibrations that are transmitted to the extrinsic laryngeal muscles (in the neck) from other anatomical locations including the velum, oropharynx, tongue, and epiglottis. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2025 Warner really was an underdog: he was cut by the Green Bay Packers, and then stocked shelves at a Hy-Vee grocery store, before taking a circuitous route back to the N.F.L. Warner pointed to the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2025 Initially, all participants enter for financial gain—a classic example of extrinsic motivation. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for extrinsic

Etymology

French & Late Latin; French extrinsèque, from Late Latin extrinsecus, from Latin, adverb, from without; akin to Latin exter outward and to Latin sequi to follow — more at exterior, sue

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of extrinsic was in 1613