Intrinsic describes a characteristic or property of some thing or action which is essential and specific to that thing or action, and which is wholly independent of any other object, action or consequence. A characteristic which is not essential or inherent is extrinsic.

For example in biology, intrinsic effects originate from "inside" an organism or cell, such as an autoimmune disease.

More specific uses of the concepts can be found:

• in philosophy Intrinsic and extrinsic properties (philosophy)
• in physics Intensive and extensive properties
• in psychology, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
• in computing, intrinsic function.