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indigenous

in-DIJ-uh-nuss /ɪnˈdɪdʒ.ɪ.nəs/

adjectiveB2TOEFLIELTSGRESAT

formalacademic

Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native to a specific region or environment.

Refers to deep-rooted ecological or human ties to a land prior to foreign settlement or colonization.

The story behind the word. From Latin 'indigena', meaning a native or original inhabitant. Formed from 'indu-' (an Old Latin form of 'in-', meaning within) and 'gignere' (to produce or beget). Literally, 'born from within the land itself'.

Word relationships

native: Native can mean born in a place; indigenous carries a stronger connotation of ancient, deep ecological or cultural origin.
endemic: Endemic is used primarily in biology and medicine to mean restricted strictly to a single geographic area.

exotic: Exotic describes plants, animals, or customs introduced from a foreign place.
alien: Alien emphasizes foreign origin that is non-native to the local region.

Commonly confused with

indigent: Indigent means suffering from extreme poverty; indigenous means native to a land.
indignant: Indignant means feeling angry at unfair treatment.

Word family

indigeneity (noun): The state or quality of being indigenous.

Collocations

indigenous people
indigenous population
indigenous flora
indigenous knowledge

Example sentences

"The indigenous plant species thrived in the valley long before exotic flowers were introduced." Ecology
"International law recognizes the right of indigenous communities to protect their sacred lands." Anthropology and rights

Memory hook

IN + DIGENOUS (like DNA) = born IN the land with deep roots. Born from within the native land.

When not to use

Do not spell as 'indigent', which means poor or needy.

Fun facts

The Latin root 'gignere' (to produce) is also the origin of words like 'genius', 'genuine', and 'generation'.