Meaning of native in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈneɪdɪv/

   US accent

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   UK accent

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1. Classifying Adjective

   native

   Definitions

   1. as found in nature in the elemental form

   Examples

   • « native copper »

   Synonyms

   • pure
2. 2. normally existing at birth

   Examples

   • « mankind's connatural sense of the good »

   Synonyms

   • normal

3. Noun

   native

   Etymology

   late Middle English: from Latin nativus, from nat-‘born’, from the verb nasci

   Definitions

   1. a person who was born in a particular place

   Examples

   • « an indigenous person »

4. Qualitative Adjective

   native

   Definitions

   1. being such by origin

   Examples

   • « the native North American sugar maple »
   • « many native artists studied abroad »

   Synonyms

   • autochthonal
   • autochthonic
   • autochthonous
   • endemic
   • indigenous
   • domestic
   • homegrown
   • native-born

   Antonyms

   • foreign
5. 2. belonging to one by birth

   Examples

   • « my native land »
   • « one's native language »

   Antonyms

   • adopted
   • adoptive
6. 3. being or composed of people inhabiting a region from the beginning

   Examples

   • « native Americans »
   • « the aboriginal peoples of Australia »

   Antonyms

   • nonnative