indigenous

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/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.
Practice using indigenous in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • She studies Indigenous knowledge about local weather patterns.
  • That caution is indigenous to the legal tradition.
  • The rhythm feels indigenous to the language itself.
  • Biologists compared indigenous fish with introduced species.
  • A distrust of ceremony was indigenous to his character.

Similar words

ancestral
built-in
native
inherent
aboriginal
autochthonous
First Nations
inborn
native
naturally occurring

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.

Usage

Use Indigenous for peoples, cultures, languages, rights, or knowledge when that is the accepted umbrella term, and use the specific people's name whenever the context allows.

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.

Common mistakes

The article in the Indigenous turns an adjective into a vague label for people.
IncorrectCorrect
The Indigenous asked for consultation. Indigenous peoples asked for consultation.
She is an indigenous. She is an Indigenous person.
The indigenous culture was brought by settlers. The Indigenous culture predates settler arrival.
All Indigenous communities share one language. Indigenous communities have many different languages.

Similar words

native
aboriginal
First Nations
original
ancestral
autochthonous

Native to a place

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

Usage

Use indigenous with to for species, plants, animals, and local features that belong naturally to a place.

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.

Common mistakes

The preposition of often replaces the standard to after the adjective.
IncorrectCorrect
The plant is indigenous of the desert. The plant is indigenous to the desert.
These trees are indigenous from Canada. These trees are indigenous to Canada.
The imported shrub is indigenous to the valley. The imported shrub is not indigenous to the valley.
The fish was indigenous in the lake. The fish was indigenous to the lake.

Similar words

native
local
endemic
autochthonous
homegrown
naturally occurring

Inborn or inherent

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

Usage

Use indigenous in this formal sense when a quality feels native to a character, tradition, or system, not merely common there.

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.

Common mistakes

The word is too strong when the idea is only common or popular, not built into the thing itself.
IncorrectCorrect
Coffee breaks are indigenous to the office. Coffee breaks are common in the office.
The rule was indigenous by the manager. The rule was introduced by the manager.
The anxiety was indigenous from the news report. The anxiety came from the news report.
This software bug is indigenous to the update. This software bug is built into the update.

Similar words

inborn
innate
inherent
natural
built-in
native

Usage

Use indigenous carefully with people and culture, often capitalized as Indigenous, and prefer specific nation or community names when they are known.

Common mistakes

Indigenous of is usually wrong for place origin, and the Indigenous is too vague when referring to people.

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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