congenital

American  

[kuhn-jen-i-tl] / kənˈdʒɛn ɪ tl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a condition present at birth, whether inherited or caused by the environment, especially the uterine environment.

2. having by nature a specified character.

   a congenital fool.

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congenital British  

/ kənˈdʒɛnɪtəl /

adjective

1. denoting or relating to any nonhereditary condition, esp an abnormal condition, existing at birth

   congenital blindness

2. informal complete, as if from birth

   a congenital idiot

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congenital Scientific  

/ kən-jĕn′ĭ-tl /

1. Existing at or before birth, as a defect or medical condition.

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congenital Cultural  

1. A descriptive term for a disease or condition that is present at birth. A congenital disease can be either hereditary or acquired.

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Usage

What does congenital mean? Congenital describes something that is or is related to a condition present from birth or during fetal development. The word congenital can refer to a condition occurring at the time of birth or while the embryo is developing, as in The scientists noticed multiple congenital defects in the kangaroo embryos. Informally, congenital can mean something is so complete that it seems to have been that way since birth, as in Frank is a congenital liar. Congenital can refer to a condition that is either inherited or caused by the environment, however there is an important point to remember. In medicine, the word congenital is a general term to refer to any disease that can be present since birth. However, congenital isn’t used interchangeably with words like genetic or hereditary. This is because not all diseases or disorders that can happen during pregnancy (meaning they are congenital) are caused by genes or inheritance. Congenital is similar to the words innate and inborn, however congenital can refer to pre-birth development and, even in the informal sense, usually refers to negative traits or qualities. Example: The rats’ misshapen feet appear to be a congenital defect that they have had since they were born.

Related Words

See innate.

Other Word Forms

• congenitally
  adverb
• congenitalness
  noun
• noncongenital
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of congenital

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Latin congenit(us) “inborn, innate” ( con- con- + geni-, variant stem of gignere “to give birth” + -tus past participle suffix) + -al ¹

Explanation

Congenital refers to something present at birth but not necessarily inherited from the parents. Babies with heart disorders developed in utero can live long and productive lives, in spite of their congenital birth defect. Congenital derives from the Latin genus, to beget. Something that is present at one’s begetting, during fetal development, or at birth is congenital. Fetal alcohol syndrome, which develops in fetuses if their mothers are drinking heavily while pregnant, is a congenital disorder. You might also use congenital to describe something seemingly inborn "a congenital sense of humor," or a "congenital faith."

Example Sentences

Congenital brain malformation researcher Patrícia Garcez and neuroscientist Stevens Rehen, who led the two projects respectively, have told the BBC they believe the answer may be a combination of these and other factors.

From BBC • Aug. 3, 2025

What remains to be studied is if protection will last throughout pregnancy and whether offspring born from vaccinated females challenged with the virus during pregnancy are free of Congenital Zika Syndrome.

From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2024

Congenital syphilis can be prevented, but it requires testing a pregnant woman for syphilis right away.

From Salon • Nov. 9, 2023

“It is an anatomically and functionally significant Congenital Heart Defect which can and will be treated,” the statement said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 25, 2023

“She passed away eight years ago now. Congenital heart defect.”

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Related Words

• ingrained
• inveterate