innate

American  

[ih-neyt, in-eyt] / ɪˈneɪt, ˈɪn eɪt /

adjective

1. existing in one from birth; inborn; native.

   innate musical talent.

   Synonyms:

   congenital, natural

2. inherent in the essential character of something.

   an innate defect in the hypothesis.

3. originating in or arising from the intellect or the constitution of the mind, rather than learned through experience.

   an innate knowledge of good and evil.

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innate British  

/ ɪˈneɪt, ˈɪneɪt /

adjective

1. existing in a person or animal from birth; congenital; inborn

2. being an essential part of the character of a person or thing

3. instinctive; not learned

   innate capacities

4. botany (of anthers) joined to the filament by the base only

5. (in rationalist philosophy) (of ideas) present in the mind before any experience and knowable by pure reason

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Related Words

Innate, inborn, congenital, hereditary describe qualities, characteristics, or possessions acquired before or at the time of birth. Innate, of Latin origin, and inborn, a native English word, share the literal basic sense “existing at the time of birth,” and they are interchangeable in most contexts: innate (or inborn ) stodginess, agility, gracefulness. Congenital refers most often to characteristics acquired during fetal development, especially defects or undesirable conditions: a congenital deformity; congenital blindness. Hereditary describes qualities or things passed on from ancestors, either through the genes or by social or legal means: Hemophilia is a hereditary condition; a hereditary title.

Other Word Forms

• innately adverb
• innateness noun
• uninnate adjective
• uninnateness noun

Etymology

Origin of innate

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin innātus “inborn,” past participle of innāscī “to be born, arise,” equivalent to in- in- ² + nāscī “to be born”; nascent, nativity

Example Sentences

Whether or not it is innate, the faculty was recognized by the Greeks when they invented philosophy around the sixth century B.C.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead, creativity was innate to our species, the evidence for which stretches back to Africa, where we evolved.

From BBC

She exits her state without deciphering Paula’s words, yet feels an innate and moving satisfaction anyway, as if she could glean the meaning of what her former patient said without understanding every word.

From Salon

"Although some mosquito species may have innate preferences, host availability and proximity are extremely influential factors."

From Science Daily

“Mattering instinct” is used interchangeably with “longing to matter,” but they are different: An instinct is innate, but a longing and its value are culturally determined.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• deep-seated
• elemental
• inborn
• ingrained
• inherent
• instinctive
• intrinsic
• intuitive