Synonyms of aboriginal

aboriginal 1 of 2

adjective

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