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innate

adjective
in·​nate | \ i-ˈnāt How to pronounce innate (audio) , ˈi-ˌnāt\

Definition of innate

1 : existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth : native, inborn innate behavior
2 : belonging to the essential nature of something : inherent
3 : originating in or derived from the mind or the constitution of the intellect rather than from experience
Other Words from innate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about innate

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Other Words from innate

innately adverb
innateness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for innate

innate, inborn, inbred, congenital, hereditary mean not acquired after birth. innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature. an innate sense of fair play inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so. her inborn love of nature inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way. inbred political loyalties congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors. a congenital heart murmur eye color is hereditary

Examples of innate in a Sentence

… the delays innate in both serial and book publication … — Walter Rundell, American Association of University Professors Bulletin, September 1971 … the materials for conflict are innate to social life. — Richard Sennett, Psychology Today, November 1970 The faculty for myth is innate in the human race. — W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, 1919 She has an innate sense of rhythm. the innate problems of wireless communication
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Social psychologists are still debating whether gender stereotypes that paint women as more nurturing and men as more assertive are innate or learned. — Los Angeles Times, "It’s official: Majority of Americans think women are just as competent as men, if not more so," 19 July 2019 After all, there’s a reason Queen Elizabeth’s reign makes for such a compelling (and critically acclaimed) television show—because of its consistent, and innate, drama. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "Before Thomas Markle Spoke Out: A Look Back at the Biggest Royal Scandals in Recent History," 14 Aug. 2018 To me, welcoming people in is so innate, and part of the fabric of this culture. — Luke Winkie, Vox, "How to politely smoke weed," 2 Aug. 2019 None had Mayfield’s combination of arm strength, accuracy and innate feel for the game. — Terry Pluto, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Browns Camp Scribbles: Baker, Odell, Jarvis ... this could be fun! -- Terry Pluto," 28 July 2019 And our innate terrestrial nature is both biological and psychological: Astronauts in orbit spend a lot of their free time looking out the window, toward home. — Anchorage Daily News, "What the Space Age taught us: Earth is the best of all possible worlds," 23 June 2019 In dynamic disease environments, traditional vaccines are crippled by distribution and storage challenges, as well as by their innate incapacity to adapt to new threats and mutations. — Rob Reid, Ars Technica, "In the not-so-distant future, “synbio” could lead to global catastrophe—maybe," 18 June 2019 What is the origin of the innate feeling shared by so many of us that prompts us to keep bringing up this topic? — Michael Harriot, The Root, "The All-American Question: Can You Truly Love Black People If You Date Outside Their Race?," 9 May 2018 As their innate humanity becomes more and more obvious, the line between heroes and villains fluctuates. — Karen Han, The Verge, "Lost in Space shows a long-running problem with stories about AI," 24 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'innate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of innate

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for innate

Middle English innat, from Latin innatus, past participle of innasci to be born in, from in- + nasci to be born — more at nation

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More Definitions for innate

innate

adjective
How to pronounce innate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of innate

: existing from the time a person or animal is born
: existing as part of the basic nature of something

See the full definition for innate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

innate

adjective
in·​nate | \ in-ˈāt, ˈin-ˌ How to pronounce innate (audio) \

Medical Definition of innate

: existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth : native, inborn innate behavior

Other Words from innate

innately adverb
innateness noun

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convivial

play

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