Synonyms of aboriginal

aboriginal 1 of 2

adjective

ˌa-bə-ˈrij-nəl 

as in indigenous

belonging to a particular place by birth or origin

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• indigenous
• native
• local
• endemic
• autochthonous
• domestic
• born
• regional
• original

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• introduced
• foreign
• nonindigenous
• alien
• nonnative
• exotic
• strange
• immigrant
• expatriate
• transplanted
• imported

aboriginal

2 of 2

noun

as in aborigine

a member of the first people to inhabit a region

they still speak the language of the region's aboriginals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aborigine
• native
• indigene
• indigen
• autochthon

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• alien
• foreigner
• nonnative

Synonym Chooser

How is the word aboriginal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of aboriginal are endemic, indigenous, and native. While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

When is it sensible to use endemic instead of aboriginal?

Although the words endemic and aboriginal have much in common, endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

Where would indigenous be a reasonable alternative to aboriginal?

The synonyms indigenous and aboriginal are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When would native be a good substitute for aboriginal?

While in some cases nearly identical to aboriginal, native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of aboriginal

Adjective

The evolutionary anthropologist Joseph Henrich has summoned the example of the aboriginal Tasmanians, who were cut off from mainland Australia about ten thousand years ago. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025

Versions have been developed by several different ancient cultures, including Aztec, Maya, Greek, Roman, and Australian aboriginal designs. —Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2025

Noun

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

The students paddled and portaged through the park, following the routes once traveled by aboriginals and French-Canadian voyageurs. —Daily Southtown, 30 Aug. 2017