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indigenous

in-DIJ-uh-nus /ɪnˈdɪdʒənəs/

adjectiveC1SATGREIELTS

FormalSociologicalAnthropological

Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.

In travel, it specifically refers to the original inhabitants of a region who have a deep, historical connection to the land.

The story behind the word. The root 'gignere' is the same one that gives us 'gene' and 'generation.' Literally, it means 'born within.' It has been used in English since the 1600s to describe plants, animals, and people belonging to a land.

Word relationships

native: Often used for plants/animals; can be sensitive when applied to people.
aboriginal: Specifically used for the first inhabitants of Australia or in a general sense for 'from the beginning.'

exotic: Originating in a distant foreign country.
invasive: Non-native species that cause harm to the environment.

Commonly confused with

endemic: Indigenous means originating there; endemic means only found there.

Collocations

indigenous people
indigenous culture
indigenous species
indigenous rights

Example sentences

"The tour was led by indigenous guides who shared stories of their ancestors' relationship with the rainforest." Discussing the importance of local knowledge.
"The garden only features indigenous plants that are well-adapted to the local climate and require little water." Describing plants.

Memory hook

In + Dig (into the earth) + Genous = People who have their roots dug deep into the land. Indigenous = Born of the land.

When not to use

Be careful using 'native' as a noun for people, as it can have colonialist overtones; 'indigenous people' is the preferred formal term.

Fun facts

There are approximately 476 million indigenous people worldwide, living in over 90 countries.