Synonyms of native

native 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnā-tiv 

1

as in indigenous

belonging to a particular place by birth or origin

though she now lived in the Northeast, she was a native Midwesterner

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in crude

being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining

diamonds in their native state are not the bright, flashy gems that one might imagine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crude
• natural
• raw
• untreated
• unprocessed
• unrefined
• in the raw
• undressed
• in the rough
• rude
• undeveloped
• unpolished
• unfinished
• uncooked
• rough-hewn
• unfiltered
• impure
• semifinished

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• treated
• refined
• dressed
• processed
• pure
• purified
• filtered

3

as in inherent

being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing

a native energy and ambition that would allow him to rise above his humble beginnings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inherent
• intrinsic
• integral
• essential
• indigenous
• natural
• constitutional
• hereditary
• innate
• inner
• inherited
• inbred
• constitutive
• ingrained
• inborn
• immanent
• elemental
• engrained
• distinctive
• built-in
• basic
• hardwired
• fundamental
• internal
• congenital
• ingrain
• characteristic
• in one's blood
• peculiar
• interior
• typical
• deep-rooted
• normal
• habitual
• inveterate
• regular
• inmost

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• foreign
• alien
• extrinsic
• extraneous
• adventitious
• accidental
• surface
• incidental
• coincidental
• external
• acquired
• superficial
• exterior
• adscititious

native

2 of 2

noun

1

as in resident

a usually longtime resident of a locality

the natives seem to resent the summer tourists even though they depend upon them for their livelihood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• resident
• inhabitant
• local
• resider
• towny
• localite
• habitant
• occupant
• dweller
• townie
• year-rounder
• denizen

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• traveller
• traveler
• sightseer
• excursionist
• vacationer
• vacationist
• holidayer

2

as in aborigine

a member of the first people to inhabit a region

the anthropologist spent two years living among the island's natives and observing and documenting their customs and traditions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• aborigine
• aboriginal
• indigen
• indigene
• autochthon

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• alien
• foreigner
• nonnative

Synonym Chooser

How is the word native distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of native are aboriginal, endemic, and indigenous. While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

When can aboriginal be used instead of native?

The meanings of aboriginal and native largely overlap; however, aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

In what contexts can endemic take the place of native?

The synonyms endemic and native are sometimes interchangeable, but endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

When might indigenous be a better fit than native?

The words indigenous and native are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of native

Adjective

Choose from tropical, woody shrub, or native perennial hibiscus types that best suit your climate and space—all attract hummingbirds. —Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025

Bad Bunny is continuing to embrace his love for his native island of Puerto Rico. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2025

Noun

The Pasadena, California native earned second-team All-America honors in his senior year under then-head coach Roy Williams. Vaughn was also a two-time Academic All-America first-team selection (1996 and 1997) and was the 1997 Academic All-American of the Year. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 19 June 2025

The San Diego native is just the seventh head coach in the SDSU program’s 90-year history. —Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025