Word: inherent

Associations

The word "inherent" means something that is a natural, essential, or permanent part of something. It refers to qualities or characteristics that are intrinsic or built-in.

• Example 1: "The inherent risks of skydiving can’t be ignored." This means that risk is a natural part of skydiving.
• Example 2: "She has an inherent talent for music." This means her talent for music is a natural and essential part of who she is.
• Example 3: "The problems are inherent in the design of the software." This means the problems are a permanent part of the software design.

A well-known synonym for "inherent" is "intrinsic." The main difference is that "inherent" emphasizes being born with or naturally possessing a quality, while "intrinsic" focuses on the essential nature of something, often referring to qualities that define its very character.

Substitution

Other words or phrases that can be used instead of "inherent" include "innate," "built-in," and "essential."

• "Innate" suggests a quality that a person is born with.
• "Built-in" may suggest that something is part of the structure or design.
• "Essential" indicates that something is crucial or very important for something else.

Deconstruction

The word "inherent" comes from the Latin root "inhaerere," which means "to stick to" or "to cling." It has no prefix, but the suffix "-ent" indicates an adjective, suggesting a property or condition. The root relates to the idea that these qualities or characteristics are tightly bound to the object or person they describe.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a personal trait you have that feels inherent to your personality?
• In what situations have you noticed inherent qualities in things or people around you?
• How does understanding something as inherent change your perspective on it?