Trivia Time

Which philosopher challenged the idea that humans possess innate ideas?

Test Your Knowledge

innate

American  

[ih-nayt, in-ayt] / ɪˈneɪt, ˈɪn eɪt /

adjective

1. existing in one from birth; inborn; native.

   innate musical talent.

   Synonyms:

   congenital, natural

2. inherent in the essential character of something.

   an innate defect in the hypothesis.

3. originating in or arising from the intellect or the constitution of the mind, rather than learned through experience.

   an innate knowledge of good and evil.

---

innate British  

/ ɪˈneɪt, ˈɪneɪt /

adjective

1. existing in a person or animal from birth; congenital; inborn

2. being an essential part of the character of a person or thing

3. instinctive; not learned

   innate capacities

4. botany (of anthers) joined to the filament by the base only

5. (in rationalist philosophy) (of ideas) present in the mind before any experience and knowable by pure reason

---

Synonym Usage

Innate, inborn, congenital, hereditary describe qualities, characteristics, or possessions acquired before or at the time of birth. Innate, of Latin origin, and inborn, a native English word, share the literal basic sense “existing at the time of birth,” and they are interchangeable in most contexts: innate (or inborn ) stodginess, agility, gracefulness. Congenital refers most often to characteristics acquired during fetal development, especially defects or undesirable conditions: a congenital deformity; congenital blindness. Hereditary describes qualities or things passed on from ancestors, either through the genes or by social or legal means: Hemophilia is a hereditary condition; a hereditary title.

Other Word Forms

• innateness
  noun
• uninnateness
  noun
• uninnate
  adjective
• innately
  adverb

---

Etymology

Origin of innate

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin innātus “inborn,” past participle of innāscī “to be born, arise,” equivalent to in- in- ² + nāscī “to be born”; cf. nascent, nativity

---

Explanation

If a characteristic or ability is already present in a person or animal when they are born, it is innate. People have the innate ability to speak whereas animals do not. Innate can also be used figuratively for something that comes from the mind rather than from external sources. Do you know someone with an innate sense of style? Some kids seem to have an innate sense of fairness where others seem to be natural bullies. In some contexts, innate means inherent. There is an innate sadness in certain types of ceremonies.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

innate

Ms. Louis-Dreyfus gives a performance that shimmers with wit throughout, making a confident Broadway debut, even if her innate flair for comedy sometimes threatens to obscure the shadows that trail her character.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

The results also point to a possible biological connection between factors circulating in the body that are associated with youth and the activity of the brain's innate immune system.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026

Sources who know the United boss well are adamant there is no better person to handle the turmoil, and it is at times of crisis like this that his innate calmness is a major strength.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

I do not believe hot coffee carries an innate moral seriousness unavailable to iced.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026

The whole fabric of honey bee society depends on communication— on an innate ability to send and receive messages, to encode and decode information.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• deep-seated
• elemental
• inborn
• ingrained
• inherent
• instinctive
• intrinsic
• intuitive
• native

---