innately

[ ih-neyt-lee, in-eyt-lee ]

/ ɪˈneɪt li, ˈɪn eɪt li /

Save This Word!

adverb

in a way that is inborn or existent from birth: I don't think innately social people, especially those who gravitate toward leadership positions, can truly understand the way less socially adept people think, act, and react.

in a way that is inherent or embedded in the nature of something: Dry areas are innately lower in soil organic matter because they produce less vegetation than wetter areas.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of innately

innate + -ly

OTHER WORDS FROM innately

un·in·nate·ly, adverb

Words nearby innately

inn, innage, in name only, innards, innate, innately, innateness hypothesis, innate releasing mechanism, inner, inner automorphism, inner bar

How to use innately in a sentence

In fact, that rewiring of the dogs’ brains makes the pooches innately drawn to people.
Even raised by people, wolves don’t tune into you like your dog|Jaime Chambers|August 16, 2021|Science News For Students
Most people seem to innately know which way is north and can quickly orient themselves in their landscapes.
Navigating the World with a Terrible Sense of Direction|awise|July 12, 2021|Outside Online
The technology itself might not be innately nefarious, but it makes it easier for companies to maintain tight control on workers and squeeze and exploit them to maximize profits.
Robots were supposed to take our jobs. Instead, they’re making them worse.|Emily Stewart|July 2, 2021|Vox
On one hand, few things are as innately gratifying as banging with sticks to keep a beat.
Best electronic drum kits for music production|empire|June 28, 2021|Popular-Science

Some of us are cynics and have a low opinion of humanity—that people are mostly bad and innately selfish.
Rutger Bregman on Why He Has Faith in Humanity|Ryan Krogh|May 11, 2021|Outside Online
But Diana died, and her sons—understandably, given the ruthless focus on her—innately distrust the media.
If Kate Middleton’s Butt Could Speak: It’s Time Royal Princesses Led Visible, Voluble Public Lives|Tim Teeman|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These three actors, Australian-bred and innately brooding, comprise the fabulously Hemsworth brothers.
Luke, Chris, and Liam: Your Guide to the Fabulous Hemsworth Brothers|Anna Klassen|August 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Any organization asking for “purification” from something just feels innately creepy and a little sinister.
Yes, I'm a Pure Republican|Meghan McCain|January 24, 2010|DAILY BEAST
He may hail from Kazakhstan, but Borat innately understands the American dream.
Sacha Baron Cohen's 9 Wildest Moments|The Daily Beast Video|July 9, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Man is innately more prone to good than to evil; and the path of his destiny is upward.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
She was most unfortunate, but not innately vicious; we may say so without danger to others.
The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 1, April, 1851|Various
There had been incipient warfare between those two for years: and they both were innately conscious of it.
The Shadow of Ashlydyat|Mrs. Henry Wood
I should expect myself to pay the tolls—heavy ones since Im innately a liar, a someway bad lot.
I, Mary MacLane|Mary MacLane
Ordinarily that would not have mattered to me since I am innately keyed and pitched to expect the galvanically unexpected.
I, Mary MacLane|Mary MacLane