indigenous

[ in-dij-uh-nuhs ]

adjective

1. originating in and characteristic of a particular region or country; native (often followed by to ):

   the plants indigenous to Canada.

   Synonyms: natural, aboriginal, autochthonous

   Antonyms: exotic, foreign

2. Indigenous. relating to or being a people who are the original, earliest known inhabitants of a region, or are their descendants: the Indigenous languages of the Americas.

   the Indigenous Maori of New Zealand;

   the Indigenous languages of the Americas.

3. innate; inherent; natural (usually followed by to ):

   feelings indigenous to human beings.

indigenous

/ ɪnˈdɪdʒɪnəs; ˌɪndɪˈdʒɛnɪtɪ /

adjective

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

indigenous

/ ĭn-dĭj′ə-nəs /

1. 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.
2. Compare alien

Derived Forms

• inˈdigenously, adverb
• inˈdigenousness, noun

Other Words From

• in·dige·nous·ly adverb
• in·dige·nous·ness in·di·gen·i·ty [in-di-, jen, -i-tee], noun
• nonin·dige·nous adjective
• unin·dige·nous adjective
• unin·dige·nous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of indigenous¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of indigenous¹

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

Example Sentences

New Zealand is often considered a world leader when it comes to supporting indigenous rights – but under the centre-right government of Christopher Luxon, many fear those rights are now at risk.

From BBC

The Fremen, whose home planet is Arrakis, where Spice is mined, bedevil the miners and the troops that protect them and, as the indigenous population battling imperial usurpers, are the faction you should root for.

From Los Angeles Times

Protests erupted inside and outside of New Zealand’s parliament this week as the country’s far-right ACT New Zealand Party pushed a bill to redefine a treaty outlining the rights of the indigenous Māori people.

From Salon

The country is often considered a leader in indigenous rights, but opponents of the bill fear those same rights are being put at risk by this bill.

From BBC

Two journalists have been slain in recent weeks, as well as a beloved indigenous priest.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• congenital
• connate
• constitutional
• essential
• fundamental
• inborn
• inherent
• inherited
• innate
• intrinsic
• natural
• unacquired