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View synonyms for indigenous

indigenous

[in-dij-uh-nuhs]

adjective

  1. originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native (often followed byto ).

    the plants indigenous to Canada.

    Antonyms: exotic, foreign
  2. Indigenous. relating to or being a people who are the original, earliest known inhabitants of a region, or are their descendants: the Indigenous languages of the Americas.

    the Indigenous Maori of New Zealand;

    the Indigenous languages of the Americas.

  3. innate; inherent; natural (usually followed byto ).

    feelings indigenous to human beings.



indigenous

/ ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs, ˌɪndɪˈdʒɛnɪtɪ /

adjective

  1. originating or occurring naturally (in a country, region, etc); native

  2. innate (to); inherent (in)

“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

indigenous

  1. 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.

  2. Compare alien endemic

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Other Word Forms

  • indigenously adverb
  • indigenousness noun
  • indigenity noun
  • nonindigenous adjective
  • unindigenous adjective
  • unindigenously adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of indigenous1

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

Origin of indigenous1

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

However, criticism of the explorer’s treatment of indigenous peoples has grown in the years since.

Read more on Barron's

The academic, a research director at the North West University's school of tourism management, did acknowledge "that we need to honour indigenous heritage".

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Galleries are increasingly showcasing indigenous and marginalised art, Ms Puri said, though more support is needed for students and emerging artists.

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The charcoal is used by indigenous households as a fuel source.

A proposed road to the remote area was last year rejected by the Biden administration, which raised concerns about the negative impact on indigenous communities, wildlife and the environment.

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indigenizeIndigenous Australian