Dictionary.com

aboriginal

[ ab-uh-rij-uh-nl ]
/ ˌæb əˈrɪdʒ ə nl /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for aboriginal on Thesaurus.com
adjective
Sometimes Aboriginal. relating to or typical of the original or earliest known inhabitants of a region, or their descendants: the aboriginal people of Tahiti;aboriginal customs.
Aboriginal. relating to or being a member of any of the peoples who are the earliest known inhabitants of Australia, or one of their descendants: an Aboriginal tribe of Tasmania.
originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native; indigenous: aboriginal mammals of the Arctic.
noun
Sometimes Aboriginal . Aborigine (def. 2).
Aboriginal. Often Offensive. Aborigine (def. 1).
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
who
whom
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of aboriginal

First recorded in 1660–70; Aborigine + -al1

usage note for aboriginal

See Aborigine.

OTHER WORDS FROM aboriginal

ab·o·rig·i·nal·i·ty, nounab·o·rig·i·nal·ly, adverb

Words nearby aboriginal

abomination, abondance, à bon marché, aboon, aboral, aboriginal, Aboriginalia, Aboriginality, ab origine, Aborigines, aborning
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to aboriginal

original, earliest, aborigine, autochthon, indigene, native, ancient, endemic, first, primary, primitive, indigenous, primeval, primordial

How to use aboriginal in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for aboriginal (1 of 2)

aboriginal
/ (ˌæbəˈrɪdʒɪnəl) /
adjective
existing in a place from the earliest known period; indigenous; autochthonous

Derived forms of aboriginal

aboriginally, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for aboriginal (2 of 2)

Aboriginal
/ (ˌæbəˈrɪdʒɪnəl) /
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of the indigenous peoples of Australia
noun
another word for an Australian Aborigine

usage for Aboriginal

The Australian government suggests that the most exact and inclusive way of referring to the indigenous peoples of Australia is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples . Other terms which are acceptable are: Aboriginal people(s), Australian Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK