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

Example Sentences

Nicholas Brendon, best known for portraying the loyal, wisecracking Xander Harris in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” died Friday from natural causes after dealing with a congenital heart defect and other health issues in recent years.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

By 2023, he had a heart attack and was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and cauda equina syndrome, the latter led to several spinal surgeries.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Errors in neuron growth are associated with congenital and neurodevelopmental disorders.

From Science Daily • Mar. 5, 2026

A king at 9 years old, he died about ten years later—perhaps of malaria or a congenital bone disease—leaving little mark on his times.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

On the other hand, Adams possessed a congenital affinity for deconstructed interpretations of history, of his own life, indeed of practically everything.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• ingrained
• inveterate