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.

   Synonyms: natural, aboriginal, autochthonous
   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)

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

Other Word Forms

• indigenously adverb
• indigenousness noun
• indigenity noun
• nonindigenous adjective
• unindigenous adjective
• unindigenously adverb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of indigenous¹

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

Example Sentences

“By pushing forward with the Hyphen project without meaningful consultation with the affected indigenous communities, Germany is failing to reckon with its colonial past.”

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The Janjaweed have morphed into a militia known as the Rapid Support Forces that has been accused of attacks against Darfur’s Black indigenous communities.

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Environmentalists and indigenous groups have also long opposed the project.

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Conaie, the country's largest indigenous organisation which led a national strike, said "five of us have been arbitrarily detained".

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Walking through the Tate's lofty rooms, pieces that blend indigenous Nigerian techniques like bronze casting, mural painting and wood carving, with more European styles are all on show.

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Related Words

• congenital 
• connate 
• constitutional 
• essential 
• fundamental 
• inborn 
• inherent 
• inherited 
• innate 
• intrinsic 
• natural 
• unacquired www.thesaurus.com