ENGLISH
REFERENCE

innate

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˌɪˈneɪt// UK //ɪnnˈeɪt// in·nate Archaic

adj. describing a quality or ability that you are born with. It is not something you learned or practiced; it is just part of who you are.

adj. existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth. Often used to describe natural talents or biological traits as opposed to acquired skills.


SIMPLE

She has an innate talent for music.

CONTEXTUAL

Psychologists often debate whether our personality traits are innate or shaped by our childhood environment.

COMPLEX

The philosopher argued that certain moral principles are innate to the human mind, rather than being social constructs developed through cultural interaction.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

The adjective is first attested in the 1420s, the verb in 1602; from Middle English innat(e) (“innate, inborn”), borrowed from Latin innātus (“inborn, innate”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), perfect active participle of innāscor (“to be born in, grow up in”), from in- (“in, at on”) + nāscor (“to be born”); see natal, native. The verb is derived from the adjective, see -ate (verb-forming suffix).

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.

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