inherently
ihn-HEH-ruhnt-lee
Inherently (adv) means In a way that is a natural, built-in part of something; naturally. Example: “The plan is inherently flawed from the start.”
adv
1
In a way that is a natural, built-in part of something; naturally.
"Democrats are quick to say that President Donald Trump’s tariffs are horrible, awful, terrible. But Democrats are also stressing that they are not inherently anti-tariff."
— Josh Boak and Matt Brown, Democrats dislike the ‘chaos’ of Trump’s trade war but are OK with some tariffs (2025)
"The plan is inherently flawed from the start."
"Some jobs are inherently more dangerous than others."
"Cats are inherently curious, so they will always explore a new box."
How to use inherently
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNaturally, by its very nature — not because of anything added or changed.
Common pairings
inherently dangerous
inherently flawed
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more inherently
- Superlative
- most inherently
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The plan is _____ flawed from the start.
Etymology
From "inherent" + "-ly."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for inherently
gently
recently
fluently
urgently
silently
intently
patently
decently
currently
fervently
patiently
evidently
See all rhymes for inherently →
Frequently asked questions
What does “inherently” mean?
The word “inherently” means in a way that is a natural, built-in part of something; naturally. In plain terms, naturally, by its very nature — not because of anything added or changed.
How do you pronounce “inherently”?
“Inherently” is pronounced ihn-HEH-ruhnt-lee (/ɪnˈhɛɹəntli/ in IPA).
How do you use “inherently” in a sentence?
Here is “inherently” used in a sentence: “The plan is inherently flawed from the start.”
What part of speech is “inherently”?
“Inherently” is an adverb.
Is “inherently” a common word?
“Inherently” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between "inherently" and "naturally"?
"Inherently" specifically means in a way that is a built-in, essential part of something, describing a quality that cannot be separated from it. "Naturally" is broader and can also mean "of course" or "without artificial intervention," so it doesn't always emphasize an essential, unremovable trait the way "inherently" does.
How is "inherently" typically used in a sentence?
"Inherently" almost always modifies an adjective, as in "inherently risky" or "inherently unfair," describing a quality built into the thing itself rather than one imposed from outside. It rarely modifies a verb directly.
Is "inherently" a formal word?
"Inherently" is common in academic, legal, and analytical writing, and it can sound slightly formal in casual conversation. It is nonetheless understood and used across many registers when precision about an essential quality is needed.
