Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

aboriginal

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of aboriginal

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 of aboriginal

autochthonous, born, domestic, endemic, indigenous, native
Words Related to aboriginal

local, regional

original
Near Antonyms of aboriginal

imported, introduced, transplanted

alien, exotic, foreign, strange

expatriate, immigrant
Antonyms of aboriginal

nonindigenous, nonnative

Synonym Discussion of 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 in Africa
aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.
    • the aboriginal peoples of Australia

aboriginal

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of aboriginal

a member of the first people to inhabit a region
  • they still speak the language of the region's aboriginals
Synonyms of aboriginal

aborigine, autochthon, indigene (also indigen), native
Near Antonyms of aboriginal

alien, foreigner
Antonyms of aboriginal

nonnative

Learn More about aboriginal

  1. Dictionary: Definition of aboriginal Spanish Central: Translation of aboriginal Nglish: Translation of aboriginal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of aboriginal for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up aboriginal? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

cumulate

to gather or build up little by little

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. cache BuzzFeed reports on Trump-Cohen documents.

  2. intransigence, intransigent Trump cancels Davos trip.

  3. white supremacist Steve King discusses views.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games