innate

adjective

in·​nate i-ˈnāt How to pronounce innate (audio)
ˈi-ˌnāt
Synonyms 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
innately adverb
innateness noun

Synonyms of innate

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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
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sarah Feely noted purpose is about innate drivers, making any job remarkable. — Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 At a time of rapid and uncertain change, humanity’s innate capacities to tap fresh opportunities and to innovate still challenge outgrown ideas of what’s possible for progress and prosperity. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026 Primates napping next to another animal or playing with them offers no readily apparent rewards—suggesting that this innate curiosity and friendliness is more deeply ingrained in humanity’s evolutionary journey. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 30 July 2026 That in itself shows that maybe there’s something innate about this creativity. — Karen Barrett, The Conversation, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for innate

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of innate was in the 15th century

Rhymes for innate

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Innate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innate. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

innate

adjective
in·​nate in-ˈāt How to pronounce innate (audio)
ˈin-ˌāt
1
: existing in or belonging to an individual from birth
an innate ability
2
: inherent
innate defects in the plan
innately adverb
innateness noun
Etymology

Middle English innat "belonging from birth," from Latin innatus, past participle of innasci "to be born in, be a native," from in- "in" and nasci "to be born" — related to native, nature

Medical Definition

innate

adjective
in·​nate in-ˈāt, ˈin-ˌ How to pronounce innate (audio)
: existing in, belonging to, or determined by factors present in an individual from birth : native, inborn
innate behavior
innately adverb
innateness noun

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