innate

adjective

in·​nate i-ˈnāt How to pronounce innate (audio)
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Drawing fouls at a high rate is an innate signal of talent (even if some grifting is involved) because players who do so are continually creating advantages that force defenses to react adversely, desperately or both. John Hollinger, New York Times, 19 June 2025 Our communal society has instilled the belief that each of us arrives in the world with an innate urge to belong. Dr. Rami Kaminski, Time, 18 June 2025 That moment of awe sparks an innate curiosity, and curiosity leads to education which drives change. Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 There seems to be an innate human urge for transcendence. Erika Page, Christian Science Monitor, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for innate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of innate was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Innate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innate. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

innate

adjective
in·​nate in-ˈāt How to pronounce innate (audio)
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 How to pronounce innate (audio)
: existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth : native, inborn
innate behavior
innately adverb
innateness noun

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