Dying to hit the dictionary.com button but will respect your request – probably for homework but what the fuck; extrinsic… makes me think of intrinsic, internal – so this must be external – like something external affecting me…that’s all I got… oh, makes me think of eccentric – so the tric at the end… maybe it’s a quality or characteristic…

Like Zen there, I’m thinking of intrinsic too…..and know I’ve come across this word before, but promise, I won’t look it up just now…I’m thinking it’s an expressed or recorded attribute? as in ‘an extrinsic value’
(oh, English is my 3rd language, if that makes any diff.)

I would assume it is something outside of myself (or whatever thing we’re applying the word to).

Thanks, Zen_Again, wildflower, and augustlan!
I’m researching some possible words to name an idea that a friend of mine and myself are working on.

I am not a native English speaker and that’s why I need more opinions about this word, because I like it best as it describes the idea very well, when misspelled :)

I’ll be happy to post a link to the project when it’s published, whether or not Extrinsic will be chosen for the product.
Thank you all!

@orinok And welcome to flutherville. Enjoy your swim.

Extrinsic motivation is what comes first to my mind. Extrinsic motivation for kids in school is external things like stickers and stars, awards, certificates, privileges, and other signs of recognition. My son was and is intrinsically motivated (intrinsic is the opposite of extrinsic), and so his teachers did not know how to get him to do the work.

I would not consider this to be a good name for a product. It’s an uncommon word, and as an adjective it really doesn’t say much without a noun. Most of all, it’s relative.

I’m tending to think of opposite of intrinsic also. Intrinsic is something governed by internal factors, so extrinsic would mean governed or motivated by external factors. As a product name, I agree with @Jeruba as the “masses” would not understand the meaning.

It makes me think of micromanaging.

Thanks, Jeruba and PandoraBoxx! I appreciate your help!

It’s not a word I would think of normally using, but it does exist. @stranger_in_a_strange_land nailed it, however.

Extrinsic refers to that which comes from outside the individual.

I’d like to thank you all for your great replies!
Your help is invaluable.

Orian.