Dictionary.com

congenital

[ kuhn-jen-i-tl ]
/ kənˈdʒɛn ɪ tl /
See synonyms for: congenital / congenitally on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of or relating to a condition present at birth, whether inherited or caused by the environment, especially the uterine environment.
having by nature a specified character: a congenital fool.

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seclusion
a false belief or opinion.
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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) + -al1

synonym study for congenital

1. See innate.

OTHER WORDS FROM congenital

con·gen·i·tal·ly, adverbcon·gen·i·tal·ness, nounnon·con·gen·i·tal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to congenital

naturally, genetically, intrinsically, constitutionally, immanently, inseparably, natively

British Dictionary definitions for congenital

congenital
/ (kənˈdʒɛnɪtəl) /

adjective

denoting or relating to any nonhereditary condition, esp an abnormal condition, existing at birthcongenital blindness
informal complete, as if from birtha congenital idiot

Derived forms of congenital

congenitally, adverbcongenitalness, noun

Word Origin for congenital

C18: from Latin congenitus born together with, from genitus born, from gignere to bear, beget
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

Medical definitions for congenital

congenital
[ kən-jĕn′ĭ-tl ]

adj.

Existing at or before birth usually through heredity, as a disorder.
Acquired at birth or during uterine development, usually as a result of environmental influences.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for congenital

congenital
[ kən-jĕn′ĭ-tl ]

Existing at or before birth, as a defect or medical condition.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for congenital

congenital
[ (kuhn-jen-i-tl) ]

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

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.