congenital

adjective con·gen·i·tal \ kən-ˈje-nə-tᵊl , kän- \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: congenital in a Sentence

Definition of congenital

1 a : existing at or dating from birth

congenital deafness

b : constituting an essential characteristic : inherent

congenital fear of snakes

c : acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity

congenital syphilis

2 : being such by nature

a congenital liar

—

congenitally

play \kən-ˈje-nə-tᵊl-ē, kän-\ adverb

See congenital defined for English-language learners

See congenital defined for kids

Examples of congenital in a Sentence

The irregularity in my backbone is probably congenital.
a congenital liar who couldn't speak the truth if his life depended on it

Recent Examples of congenital from the Web

In the past, children with congenital heart defects rarely lived long enough to become pregnant, Fisher said.

— mary carole mccauley, baltimoresun.com, ""Miracle" baby celebrates his first birthday at home," 9 June 2018
The Israeli authorities and others pushed back, saying the child’s pre-existing congenital heart disease may have contributed to her death.

— herbert buchsbaum, New York Times, "Israeli Video Portrays Medic Killed in Gaza as Tool of Hamas," 7 June 2018
Now, there is an accredited congenital heart disease program in South Florida.

— marcia heroux pounds, Sun-Sentinel.com, "South Florida adult congenital heart program first in state to be accredited," 6 Apr. 2018
In the youngest of stroke patients, congenital heart abnormalities or heart valve problems that may lead to clot formation can cause a stroke.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Too young for a stroke? Think again.," 9 May 2018
Epidemiological studies have shown that NSAID exposure during pregnancy was associated with reduced testosterone and congenital malformations; another study showed a drop in a testosterone metabolite among men who were taking ibuprofen regularly.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Small study suggests ibuprofen alters testosterone metabolism," 9 Jan. 2018
Born in June 2016 with a congenital heart defect, Madison underwent open heart surgery and was on the waiting list for a donor heart.

— kaelyn forde, Glamour, "What Women Who Have Experienced Loss Want to Hear on Mother's Day," 10 May 2018
The veterinarian diagnosed a congenital liver defect.

— special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Fate brings brother and sister kittens back together: Send us your pet rescue stories," 10 May 2018
The aquarium believes Latte may have had a congenital defect that caused a blockage in her esophagus, preventing blood from flowing from her abdomen to her heart, which in turn meant not enough oxygen was reaching her brain.

— ellen fishel, baltimoresun.com, "Rescued grey seal named Latte dies at National Aquarium," 2 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'congenital.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of congenital

Latin congenitus, from com- + genitus, past participle of gignere to bring forth — more at kin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1796

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

congenital Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of congenital

innate, inborn, inbred, congenital, hereditary mean not acquired after birth. innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature.

- an innate sense of fair play

inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so.

- her inborn love of nature

inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way.

- inbred political loyalties

congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors.