Intrinsic value is best understood in contrast to extrinsic value.

Things with extrinsic value have value because of what they can get us. My car has extrinsic value to me because I value the things it does for me — like getting me to work, and taking me on vacations.

I value friendship, on the other hand, for its own sake. It’s not a way for me to get something else.

Some things might be thought either intrinsically or extrinsically valuable. Many people would say love has intrinsic value — we value it for its own sake. Others might argue that we value it because it brings us joy, which would make it extrinsically valuable.