Meaning
Inborn; existing or having existed since birth.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
The adjective is first attested in the 1420s, the verb in 1602; from Middle English innat(e) (“innate, inborn”), borrowed from Latin innātus (“inborn, innate”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), perfect active participle of innāscor (“to be born in, grow up in”), from in- (“in, at on”) + nāscor (“to be born”); see natal, native. The verb is derived from the adjective, see -ate (verb-forming suffix).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
acquiredimplantedingraftedinculcatedinfusedlearnedconditioned
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 6 recorded puzzles: