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YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

inherent

Adjective

IPA /ɪnˈherənt/

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Meaning in plain English

Existing as a natural or essential part of something, rather than being added from outside.

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Pronunciation

inherent/ɪnˈherənt/

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  1. Swimming in unfamiliar water

  2. Uncertainty about depth and currents

Some risks are inherent in the activity: they come with its nature.

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  1. There are inherent risks in swimming alone in unfamiliar water.
  2. The team discussed the inherent limitations of the research method.

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There are ________ risks in swimming alone in unfamiliar water.
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inherent — Existing as a natural or essential part of something, rather than being added from outside.

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Existing as a natural or essential part of something, rather than being added from outside.

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Word origin

From Latin inhaerent-, meaning sticking to, from inhaerere.

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Inherent in names the thing containing the quality: risks inherent in an activity.

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inherent

/ɪnˈherənt/ (Adjective)

“Use inherent in, not inherent of. The word is common in formal explanations.”

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