congenital

[ kuhn-jen-i-tl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a condition present at birth, whether inherited or caused by the environment, especially the uterine environment.
2. having by nature a specified character:

   a congenital fool.

congenital

/ kənˈdʒɛnɪtəl /

adjective

1. denoting or relating to any nonhereditary condition, esp an abnormal condition, existing at birth

   congenital blindness

2. informal.
   complete, as if from birth

   a congenital idiot

congenital

/ kən-jĕn′ĭ-tl /

1. Existing at or before birth, as a defect or medical condition.

congenital

1. A descriptive term for a disease or condition that is present at birth. A congenital disease can be either hereditary or acquired.

Derived Forms

• conˈgenitally, adverb
• conˈgenitalness, noun

Other Words From

• con·gen·i·tal·ly adverb
• con·gen·i·tal·ness noun
• non·con·gen·i·tal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of congenital¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Latin congenit(us) “inborn, innate” ( con- con- + geni-, variant stem of gignere “to give birth” + -tus past participle suffix) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of congenital¹

C18: from Latin congenitus born together with, from genitus born, from gignere to bear, beget

Synonym Study

See innate.

Example Sentences

Environmental pollution is a risk factor for congenital abnormalities, alongside genetics, maternal age, infection and nutrition, she says.

From BBC

Genetic testing can give clues about the causes of congenital abnormalities, but the hospital does not have the facilities, and results are often not conclusive.

From BBC

As the data is not recorded systematically, it is not clear whether these anecdotal reports indicate an unusually high prevalence of congenital abnormalities.

From BBC

Kimmel urged viewers in 2020 to consider the Republican Party’s plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would negatively impact people with a pre-existing condition — including his son Billy who lives with a congenital heart condition.

From Los Angeles Times

There could also be tension with the Paralympic community before LA 2028, with Trump having previously denied accusations he mocked a disabled reporter with a congenital joint condition at a rally in 2015.

From BBC

Related Words

• ingrained
• inveterate