native

¹na·tive

adj \ˈnā-tiv\

Definition of NATIVE

1

: inborn, innate <native talents>

2

: belonging to a particular place by birth

3

archaic : closely related

4

: belonging to or associated with one by birth

5

: natural, normal

6

a : grown, produced, or originating in a particular place or in the vicinity : local b : living or growing naturally in a particular region : indigenous

7

: simple, unaffected

8

a : constituting the original substance or source b : found in nature especially in an unadulterated form <mining native silver>

9

chiefly Australian : having a usually superficial resemblance to a specified English plant or animal

10

capitalized : of, relating to, or being a member of an aboriginal people of North or South America : native american

— na·tive·ly adverb

— na·tive·ness noun

Examples of NATIVE

1. people who are native to France
2. She has a native ability to learn quickly.
3. The island is home to several native species of trees.

Origin of NATIVE

Middle English natif, from Middle French, from Latin nativus, from natus, past participle of nasci to be born — more at nation

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to NATIVE

Synonyms: aboriginal, autochthonous, born, domestic, endemic, indigenous

Antonyms: nonindigenous, nonnative

Related Words: local, regional; original

Near Antonyms: imported, introduced, transplanted; alien, exotic, foreign, strange; expatriate, immigrant

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of NATIVE

native, indigenous, endemic, aboriginal mean belonging to a locality. native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it <native tribal customs>. indigenous applies to species or races and adds to native the implication of not having been introduced from elsewhere <maize is indigenous to America>. endemic implies being peculiar to a region <edelweiss is endemic in the Alps>. aboriginal implies having no known race preceding in occupancy of the region <the aboriginal peoples of Australia>.

Rhymes with NATIVE

dative, stative