innate

adjective

in·​nate i-ˈnāt 

ˈi-ˌnāt

1

: existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth : native, inborn

innate behavior

2

: belonging to the essential nature of something : inherent

3

: originating in or derived from the mind or the constitution of the intellect rather than from experience

innately adverb

innateness noun

Synonyms of innate

• inherent
• intrinsic
• integral
• essential

Choose the Right Synonym for innate

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.

a congenital heart murmur

eye color is hereditary

Examples of innate in a Sentence

… the delays innate in both serial and book publication … —Walter Rundell, American Association of University Professors Bulletin, September 1971

… the materials for conflict are innate to social life. —Richard Sennett, Psychology Today, November 1970

The faculty for myth is innate in the human race. —W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, 1919

She has an innate sense of rhythm.

the innate problems of wireless communication

Recent Examples on the Web

And despite her accomplishments, Nooyi said leadership wasn’t an innate gift, but a skill developed over decades of observation, practice, and experience. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 6 July 2026

The therapy works to restore the immune system's innate ability to effectively recognize and respond to legitimate threats in the body. — New Atlas, 2 July 2026

Evolution is innate in Kartell, the Luti family-run Italian contemporary design firm. — David Moin, Footwear News, 30 June 2026

And still, some people insist that admitting the flaws in our history — and our present — constitutes an act of innate disloyalty. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English innat, from Latin innatus, past participle of innasci to be born in, from in- + nasci to be born — more at nation

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for innate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

innate

adjective

in·​nate in-ˈāt 

ˈin-ˌāt

1

: existing in or belonging to an individual from birth

an innate ability

2

: inherent

innate defects in the plan

innately adverb

innateness noun

Etymology

Middle English innat "belonging from birth," from Latin innatus, past participle of innasci "to be born in, be a native," from in- "in" and nasci "to be born" — related to native, nature

Medical Definition

innate

adjective

in·​nate in-ˈāt, ˈin-ˌ 

: existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth : native, inborn

innate behavior

innately adverb

innateness noun