# indigenous

/ˌɪnˈdɪdʒənəs/ (US) · /ɪndˈɪdʒənəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/indigenous
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. native people

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

belonging to the first group of people to live in a country, especially before others arrived and took control.

For teachers: relating to the original inhabitants of a territory, particularly in contrast to later colonial settlers.

- The museum features art created by the indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest.
- The government is currently reviewing legislation to better protect the land rights of indigenous communities across the northern territories.

Usage: Often capitalized (Indigenous) when referring to specific ethnic groups or legal identities.

### 2. native plants or animals

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical · Academic

living or growing naturally in a particular place rather than being brought there from somewhere else.

For teachers: originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native to a specific ecosystem.

- The park is home to many indigenous plants that can survive with very little water.
- Biologists are concerned that the introduction of non-native trout will outcompete the indigenous species for limited food resources in the lake.

### 3. innate or inborn

adjective · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

a quality or feeling that you are born with.

For teachers: existing within a person from birth; innate or inherent to one's nature.

- He believed that a sense of justice was indigenous to the human heart.
- The philosopher argued that certain moral intuitions are indigenous to the mind rather than being products of social conditioning.

Teaching tip: This sense is rare in modern speech; 'innate' or 'inherent' are much more common in contemporary English.

## Examples

- The kangaroo is indigenous to Australia.
- The project aims to preserve indigenous languages that are at risk of being forgotten by younger generations.
- Ecologists argue that reintroducing indigenous plant species is essential for restoring the local insect population and maintaining the overall health of the regional ecosystem.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.