indigenous

/ɪnˈdɪdʒənəs/
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Connected with the first peoples of a place, native to a region, or more formally natural to a character, system, or tradition.

Examples

  • Curiosity seems indigenous to childhood.
  • Several Indigenous communities helped design the land agreement.
  • Farmers are replanting indigenous trees along the river.
  • The exhibit was developed with Indigenous artists and historians.
  • The island has several indigenous bird species.

Similar words

local
inherent
original
First Nations
native
natural
innate
native
native
autochthonous

Meanings

Connected with original peoples

adjective
culture
neutral
Relating to the first known peoples of a place, especially groups with lasting cultural, political, and ancestral ties to land affected by later settlement.

Examples

  • The council protects Indigenous languages from further loss.
  • Several Indigenous communities helped design the land agreement.
  • The exhibit was developed with Indigenous artists and historians.
  • The law recognizes Indigenous rights to traditional territories.
  • She studies Indigenous knowledge about local weather patterns.

Similar words

Native to a place

adjective
nature
neutral
Naturally present in a particular region or environment, rather than brought there from somewhere else.

Examples

  • These grasses are indigenous to the coastal dunes.
  • The island has several indigenous bird species.
  • Farmers are replanting indigenous trees along the river.
  • The museum garden uses indigenous herbs and flowers.
  • Biologists compared indigenous fish with introduced species.

Similar words

Inborn or inherent

adjective
everyday
formal
Belonging naturally to a person, group, habit, or situation as an inner quality, not added from outside.

Examples

  • Curiosity seems indigenous to childhood.
  • The habit was not borrowed, it was indigenous to the community.
  • A distrust of ceremony was indigenous to his character.
  • The rhythm feels indigenous to the language itself.
  • That caution is indigenous to the legal tradition.

Similar words

Etymology

From Late Latin indigenus and Latin indigena, meaning native or born in a place, formed from elements meaning in and beget or produce.

FAQ

What does indigenous mean?

Indigenous means connected with original peoples, native to a place, or formally natural and inborn within something.

Should Indigenous be capitalized?

Capitalize Indigenous when it refers to peoples, cultures, rights, or identity, especially as an umbrella term.

Can indigenous describe plants and animals?

Yes. A plant or animal can be indigenous to a region when it occurs there naturally.

Is indigenous a noun?

It is mainly an adjective. Use Indigenous people, Indigenous peoples, or an Indigenous person instead of treating it as a bare noun.

Which preposition follows indigenous?

The usual preposition is to, as in indigenous to the area.

Where does indigenous come from?

It comes from Latin forms meaning native or born in a place.

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