aboriginal

1 of 2

adjective

ab·​orig·​i·​nal ˌa-bə-ˈri-jə-nᵊl 

-ˈrij-nəl

1

: being the first or earliest known of its kind present in a region : indigenous, native

aboriginal forests

aboriginal rocks

2

: of, relating to, or descended from the earliest known inhabitants of a place and especially of a place that was colonized : indigenous

aboriginal languages

aboriginal tribes/customs/art

specifically, Aboriginal or less commonly aboriginal : of, relating to, or descended from a group of peoples who along with the Torres Strait Islander peoples are the earliest known inhabitants of Australia

Aboriginal diversity

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Note: In reference to Indigenous people of Australia, the adjective Aboriginal (as in "an Aboriginal person") is preferred to the nouns Aborigine and Aboriginal which are considered offensive. Although the adjective Aboriginal is not considered offensive, a more specific designation (such as the name of a person's nation, region, or community) may be preferred where possible.

aboriginally adverb

aboriginal

2 of 2

noun

plural aboriginals

1

dated : aborigine sense 1

New World aboriginals

2

Aboriginal plural Aboriginals, dated, often offensive : aborigine sense 2

Note: In reference to Indigenous people of Australia, use of the noun Aboriginal is often considered offensive. Use of the adjective Aboriginal, as in "Aboriginal nations," is preferred.

Synonyms of aboriginal

Adjective

• indigenous

Noun

• aborigine

Choose the Right Synonym for aboriginal

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 that which is not only native but which, as far as can be determined, has never been introduced or brought from elsewhere.

indigenous plants

endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic to many countries

aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

Examples of aboriginal in a Sentence

Adjective

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

the aboriginal peoples of northern Alaska are known as Inupiats, which in their language literally means “real people”

Noun

they still speak the language of the region's aboriginals

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

While some people express concerns, the AKC noted that many cultures throughout history have considered co-sleeping with animals as beneficial, such as aboriginal Australians who slept beside their dogs for warmth and protection. —Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025

Heyerdahl built this replica of the aboriginal balsa raft to test his theories that the ancient Peruvians reached Polynesia with this transport. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 18 Sep. 2025

Noun

Those clauses were removed in the 1960s, leaving no mention of aboriginals at all. —The Economist, 5 July 2018

These people are too far away to show a direct link between them and the Clovis in such a way that indicates the Clovis being the aboriginals of South America. —Adam Rutherford, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

aborigine + -al entry 1

Noun

noun derivative of aboriginal entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for aboriginal

• unoriginal
• original

Kids Definition

aboriginal

adjective

ab·​orig·​i·​nal

ˌab-ə-ˈrij-nəl,

-ən-ᵊl

1

: being the first of its kind in a region : indigenous

2

: of, relating to, or being aborigines

aboriginally

-ē

adverb