innate

American  

[ih-neyt, in-eyt] / 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.

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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

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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

Derived Forms

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

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

The most fundamental tool he describes is an innate “number sense,” as displayed by both humans and some animals, including rats, ants, chickens, chimpanzees and guppies.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

What follows is a sometimes frustrating, often hilarious hodgepodge of observations about the innate folly of living in a world where treating employees with basic respect is seen as optional.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

Lopez soon joined local girls and boys teams where she often played in defence, and her innate talent caught the attention of Alba Mellado.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

We have this almost innate sense of: Well, if they indict someone, that person probably did something pretty bad.

From Slate • May 22, 2026

They were originally concocted by Chandresh on a whim, brought about by a combination of chronic insomnia and keeping theatrical hours, along with an innate dislike of proper dinner-party etiquette.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Related Words

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