native 1 of 2

Definition of nativenext
1
as in indigenous
belonging to a particular place by birth or origin though she now lived in the Northeast, she was a native Midwesterner

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2
as in crude
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining diamonds in their native state are not the bright, flashy gems that one might imagine

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3

native

2 of 2

noun

1
as in resident
a usually longtime resident of a locality the natives seem to resent the summer tourists even though they depend upon them for their livelihood

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2
as in aborigine
a member of the first people to inhabit a region the anthropologist spent two years living among the island's natives and observing and documenting their customs and traditions

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word native distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of native are aboriginal, endemic, and indigenous. While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

When can aboriginal be used instead of native?

The meanings of aboriginal and native largely overlap; however, aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

In what contexts can endemic take the place of native?

The synonyms endemic and native are sometimes interchangeable, but endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

When might indigenous be a better fit than native?

The words indigenous and native are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, indigenous applies to that which is not only native but which, as far as can be determined, has never been introduced or brought from elsewhere.

indigenous plants

How is the word native distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of native are aboriginal, endemic, and indigenous. While all these words mean "belonging to a locality," native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

When can aboriginal be used instead of native?

The meanings of aboriginal and native largely overlap; however, aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

In what contexts can endemic take the place of native?

The synonyms endemic and native are sometimes interchangeable, but endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

When might indigenous be a better fit than native?

The words indigenous and native are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, indigenous applies to that which is not only native but which, as far as can be determined, has never been introduced or brought from elsewhere.

indigenous plants

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of native
Adjective
Biologists think this new tracking technique will help protect Florida’s native wildlife, rural lands, citizens and their pets. Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026 The hotel’s lobby bar and all-day café, Meadowrue, is named after a native plant to the Pacific Northwest. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
This Colorado native requires low to medium water and matures at 35 feet tall. Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 1 May 2026 Keys, a Poplarville, Mississippi, native picked the Hurricanes over offers from Alabama, Florida State and Ole Miss, among others. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for native
Recent Examples of Synonyms for native
Adjective
  • These conditions have fueled widespread reports of labor exploitation, environmental damage and violent disputes over territory, while mercury contamination from gold extraction has posed serious risks to indigenous communities and fragile ecosystems.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The most magnificent of our indigenous maples is bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), which can grow to 100 feet or more where cultural conditions are optimal.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The aircraft also benefits from being easier to upgrade over time, thanks to its inherent modular design.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 3 May 2026
  • Critics may suggest that licenses for tradeworkers like electricians are still necessary given the dangers inherent to construction.
    Maxwell Harden, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • The warning applies to residents of 11 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, according to Reuters, telling them to evacuate their homes and move at least 3,300 feet away to open areas.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 4 May 2026
  • That’s as nearby developments are adding residents and students, too.
    Rose Evans May 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • The Guanches were aborigines of the Canary Islands.
    JP Mangalindan, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024
  • The bill’s sponsors insisted their motives were not racist, although, one of the sponsors, state Sen. Scott Beason, later recorded himself referring to black people as aborigines while wearing a wire for the FBI.
    Kyle Whitmire, al, 22 Nov. 2019
Adjective
  • Now the sanctuary works with Aboriginal fire practitioners, blending traditional knowledge of country with contemporary management techniques to reduce fuel loads safely.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2026
  • In 1967 the Australian constitution was amended to give the commonwealth the power to make laws concerning Aboriginal peoples instead of the states.
    Roland Martin, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The emirate has just 72 kilometers (45 miles) of natural shoreline, but artificial islands and peninsulas have provided far more beachfront for its 4 million residents, and the millionaires and billionaires who collect such properties.
    Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Instead of roasting, the dehydrating preserves natural flavor and delivers Daily Crunch's signature Uniquely Crunchy bite.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In a note to clients this week, UBS analyst Brian Meredith estimates Berkshire is trading at an 8% discount to its intrinsic value.
    Alex Crippen, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Muting the awe factor, this segment downgrades some of the movie’s intrinsic appeal.
    Eric Kohn, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Fighting is ongoing in Lebanon despite a shaky ceasefire — Israel ordered inhabitants of seven towns to evacuate ahead of military operations.
    Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The city of Reynosa has 690,000 inhabitants and sits across the river from McAllen, Texas.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Native.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/native. Accessed 4 May. 2026.

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