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indigenous

in-DIJ-uh-nus /ɪnˈdɪdʒ.ə.nəs/

adjectiveB2IELTSTOEFLGREUPSC

generalacademic

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

When applied to peoples, it carries historical and political context regarding long-standing connection to land prior to colonization.

The story behind the word. Derived from Old Latin 'indu' (inward, inside) and 'gignere' (to produce or beget). Literally, it describes someone or something born inside a particular land.

Word relationships

native: Native can refer simply to birth location, while indigenous carries stronger ecological and historical heritage connotations.
autochthonous: Autochthonous is a highly formal technical synonym used mostly in geology, biology, and anthropology.

exotic: Exotic describes organisms or elements introduced from foreign lands.
alien: Alien emphasizes foreign origin or non-belonging to an ecosystem or region.

Commonly confused with

indigent: Indigent means extremely poor, whereas indigenous means native to a region.

Word family

indigenously (adverb): In an indigenous manner.
indigeneity (noun): The quality or state of being indigenous.

Collocations

indigenous peoples
indigenous population
indigenous knowledge
indigenous rights

Example sentences

"The protection of biodiversity often depends on recognizing the rights of indigenous communities to manage their ancestral lands." Environmental policy
"This specific fern is indigenous to the cloud forests of Central America and cannot thrive elsewhere." Botany

Memory hook

INDIgenous = IN-the-GENES of the land. Born in the land.

When not to use

Avoid using as a substitute for 'primitive' or 'exotic'; it is a term of geographic origin and historical priority.

Fun facts

The UN estimates there are over 476 million indigenous people living across 90 countries globally.