Dictionary.com

indigenous

[ in-dij-uh-nuhs ]
/ ɪnˈdɪdʒ ə nəs /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for indigenous on Thesaurus.com
adjective
originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native (often followed by to): the plants indigenous to Canada.
Indigenous. relating to or being a people who are the original, earliest known inhabitants of a region, or are their descendants: the Indigenous Maori of New Zealand;the Indigenous languages of the Americas.
innate; inherent; natural (usually followed by to): feelings indigenous to human beings.
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 indigenous

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin indigen(a) “native, original inhabitant” (indi-, by-form of in- in-2 (cf. indagate) + -gena, derivative from base of gignere “to bring into being”; cf. genital, genitor) + -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM indigenous

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH indigenous

endogenous, indigenous
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to indigenous

domestic, endemic, homegrown, primitive, aboriginal, autochthonous, chthonic, congenital, connate, inbred, inherent, inherited, innate, natural, original, unacquired

British Dictionary definitions for indigenous

indigenous
/ (ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs) /
adjective (when postpositive, foll by to)
originating or occurring naturally (in a country, region, etc); native
innate (to); inherent (in)

Derived forms of indigenous

indigenously, adverbindigenousness or indigenity (ˌɪndɪˈdʒɛnɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for indigenous

C17: from Latin indigenus, from indigena indigene, from indi- in + gignere to 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

Scientific definitions for indigenous

indigenous
[ ĭn-dĭj′ə-nəs ]
Native to a particular region or environment but occurring naturally in other places as well. The American black bear is indigenous to many different parts of North America. Compare alien endemic.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
FEEDBACK