existing in one from birth; inborn; native: innate musical talent.
2.
inherent in the essential character of something: an innate defect in the hypothesis.
3.
originating in or arising from the intellect or the constitution of the mind, rather than learned through experience: an innate knowledge of good and evil.
Origin: 1375–1425;late Middle English < Latininnātus inborn, past participle of innāscī to be born, arise, equivalent to in-in-2 + nāscī to be born; cf. nascent, nativity
Related forms
in·nate·ly, adverb
in·nate·ness, noun
un·in·nate, adjective
un·in·nate·ly, adverb
un·in·nate·ness, noun
Can be confused: inchoate, innate (see synonym study at the current entry).
Synonyms 1. natural, congenital. Innate, inborn, congenital, hereditary describe qualities, characteristics, or possessions acquired before or at the time of birth. Innate of Latin origin, and inborn a native English word, share the literal basic sense “existing at the time of birth,” and they are interchangeable in most contexts: innate (or inborn ) stodginess, agility, gracefulness.Congenital refers most often to characteristics acquired during fetal development, especially defects or undesirable conditions: a congenital deformity; congenital blindness.Hereditary describes qualities or things passed on from ancestors, either through the genes or by social or legal means: Hemophilia is a hereditary condition; a hereditary title.