Innate
/ɪˈneɪt/
Definitions
Existing in someone or something from birth; inherent.
/ɪˈneɪt/
Existing from birth; inborn
Babies have an innate ability to recognize their mother's voice.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're born with a superpower! Innate means you're naturally good at something, like a baby knowing how to suckle or a puppy instinctively wagging its tail. It's not something you have to learn.
👶 For kids: Something you are born with, like knowing how to breathe or cry.
More Examples
The innate beauty of the artwork was immediately apparent.
Her innate talent for music was evident from a young age.
How It's Used
"The psychologist studied the innate behavior patterns of the newborn."
"Many animals possess an innate ability to navigate using the earth's magnetic field."
"The philosopher argued that certain moral principles are innate to humans."
From Latin *innātus* meaning "inborn," from *in-* "in" + *nātus* "born" (past participle of *nascī* "to be born").
The term gained prominence during the Enlightenment period in philosophical debates regarding the nature of knowledge and whether certain ideas were present at birth or acquired through experience.
Memory tip
Think of 'in-nate' as something 'in' you at birth, like your eye color or your basic instincts.