inborn

[ in-bawrn ]

adjective

1. naturally present at birth; innate.

   Synonyms: hereditary, congenital, native, natural, inherent, inbred

   Antonyms: learned

inborn

/ ˈɪnˈbɔːn /

adjective

1. existing from birth; congenital; innate

Word History and Origins

Origin of inborn¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English inboren “native, indigenous”; in- ¹, born

Synonym Study

See innate.

Example Sentences

In psychology, the theory that the ability to imitate is inborn held sway for a long time.

From Science Daily

You could have inborn errors, such as polymorphisms in genes that are well described for host immunity.

From Scientific American

Anya didn’t know much about magic, and she wasn’t sure if ignoring an inborn gift meant another type would get stronger.

From Literature

Reeves has always gently but firmly drawn a curtain around his off-screen life, with an inborn awareness of the absurdities of fame — of how the Keanu we see is not the Keanu he is.

From Washington Post

So I set aside my inborn inclination for bells and whistles and complication and stuck my fork into the tangle of tagliatelle.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• congenital
• hereditary
• ingrained
• innate
• instinctive
• intrinsic
• intuitive