innate

adjective

in·​nate i-ˈnāt 

ˈi-ˌnāt

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

• inherent
• intrinsic
• integral
• essential

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

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s likely a powerful attraction, strong physical chemistry and the innate feeling that this relationship could deeply impact both individuals. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026

Gupta’s team solved this by giving the robots a deep, innate mathematical awareness of their own physical limitations. —Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 26 Apr. 2026

In Lombok, there is little else that compares, in terms of the level of service, soul, innate professionalism, and perfectionism, as well as in sophisticated design details, than Lombok Private Villas Estate. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

And the secret to their success isn’t innate talent. —Harvard Business Review, 21 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for innate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

innate

adjective

in·​nate in-ˈāt 

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 

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

innate behavior

innately adverb

innateness noun