indigenous

[ in-dij-uh-nuhs ]

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adjective

originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native (often followed by to): the plants indigenous to Canada.
Indigenous. relating to or being a people who are the original, earliest known inhabitants of a region, or are their descendants: the Indigenous Maori of New Zealand;the Indigenous languages of the Americas.

innate; inherent; natural (usually followed by to): feelings indigenous to human beings.

Origin of indigenous

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

Other words for indigenous

1	autochthonous, aboriginal, natural

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Opposites for indigenous

1	foreign, exotic

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Other words from indigenous

in·dig·e·nous·ly, adverb
in·dig·e·nous·ness, in·di·gen·i·ty [in-di-jen-i-tee], /ˌɪn dɪˈdʒɛn ɪ ti/, noun
non·in·dig·e·nous, adjective
un·in·dig·e·nous, adjective
un·in·dig·e·nous·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with indigenous

endogenous, indigenous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use indigenous in a sentence

The usual (for non indigenous women) is to marry in their late 20s and have one or two kids.
Why I Choose to Be Child-Free: Readers Share Their Stories | Harry Siegel | February 27, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The fact that it is not found in woods is taken as evidence that it is non-indigenous.
Wayside and Woodland Trees | Edward Step

British Dictionary definitions for indigenous

indigenous

/ (ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs) /

adjective(when postpositive, foll by to)

originating or occurring naturally (in a country, region, etc); native
innate (to); inherent (in)

Origin of indigenous

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

Derived forms of indigenous

indigenously, adverb
indigenousness or indigenity (ˌɪndɪˈdʒɛnɪtɪ), noun

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

Scientific definitions for indigenous

indigenous

[ ĭn-dĭj′ə-nəs ]

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. Compare alien endemic.

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