aboriginal
[ ab-uh-rij-uh-nl ]
/ ˌæb əˈrɪdʒ ə nl /
adjective
of, relating to, or typical of aborigines: aboriginal customs.
original or earliest known; native; indigenous: the aboriginal people of Tahiti.
noun
(initial capital letter) aborigine(def 2).
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Nearby words
abomination, abondance, aboon, aborad, aboral, aboriginal, aboriginalia, aboriginality, aborigine, aborigines, aborning
SYNONYMS FOR aboriginal
Related formsab·o·rig·i·nal·i·ty, nounab·o·rig·i·nal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for aboriginal
British Dictionary definitions for aboriginal (1 of 2)
aboriginal
/ (ˌæbəˈrɪdʒɪnəl) /
adjective
existing in a place from the earliest known period; indigenous; autochthonous
Derived Formsaboriginally, 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
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
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Word Origin and History for aboriginal
aboriginal
1660s, "first, earliest," especially in reference to inhabitants of lands colonized by Europeans, from aborigines (see aborigine) + -al (1); specific Australian sense is from 1820. The noun is attested from 1767. Related: Aboriginally.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper