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innately

American  
[ih-neyt-lee, in-eyt-lee] / ɪˈneɪt li, ˈɪn eɪt li /

adverb

  1. 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.

  2. 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.


Other Word Forms

  • uninnately adverb

Etymology

Origin of innately

innate + -ly

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.

And since October, Gemini has had the “native audio” model, innately understanding speech and generating responses without any cumbersome transcription.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 24, 2026

No matter how innately talented Riggs was, he was still a 55-year-old who had not played competitively in years.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

My dad was a great balladeer — is a great balladeer — and I feel like I got a little bit of that innately.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

To recognize yourself onscreen is a powerful feeling that Cruise and McQuarrie innately understand how to manipulate.

From Salon • May 24, 2025

There’s something innately bolstering about a person who sees his opportunities as endless, who doesn’t waste time or energy questioning whether they will ever dry up.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama