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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Related Words

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

• innately adverb
• innateness noun
• uninnate adjective
• uninnateness 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”; nascent, nativity

Example Sentences

Here, Borgli only skims the surface, counting on subtext to imply that Charlie and Rachel have been forced to confront innate prejudices about their partners, who are both Black.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

There is nothing innate to human psychology or inherent in modern economies that indicates recessions are part of an inevitable business cycle, he writes in his new book, Recession.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Meanwhile, Jobs tapped his innate marketing sensibilities to start selling computers preassembled in friendly plastic cases.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Sensibility and natural eclecticism, rather than unchecked ambition, is what propels Joseph; he has an innate knack for assembling bands and ensembles, good taste and good timing.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

Lie allowed his innate optimism to shine through, however, promising Tuve that “it will not be long now before we will have this trouble licked and will be able to go ahead satisfactorily.”

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

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