native
0 antonyms and opposites of native, grouped by meaning.
Noun — Someone who was born in a particular place.
How to use native
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Using "native" alone to describe an indigenous person (e.g., "the natives") can sound outdated or loaded; "Indigenous" or naming the specific people/nation is now generally preferred.
Etymology
From Old French natif, from Latin nātīvus, "born, natural," from nātus, "born."
Full origin of native →Frequently asked questions
What does “native” mean?
The word “native” means someone who was born in a particular place. In plain terms, belonging somewhere from birth or from the start — used for people, plants, animals, and even natural-seeming abilities.
How do you pronounce “native”?
“Native” is pronounced NAY-tihv (/ˈneɪtɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “native” in a sentence?
Here is “native” used in a sentence: “As a native of New Orleans, she knew all the best spots for gumbo.”
What is another word for “native”?
Words with a similar meaning to “native” include homeling.
What part of speech is “native”?
Depending on how it is used, “native” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “native” come from?
The word “native” comes from Latin. From Old French natif, from Latin nātīvus, "born, natural," from nātus, "born.".
Is “native” a common word?
“Native” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “native” have?
“Native” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who was born in a particular place.
What is the difference between native and citizen?
A native is someone born in a particular place. A citizen is someone who legally belongs to a country, with the rights and duties that brings. The two often overlap but need not: you can be a native of a place without holding its citizenship, and become a citizen of a country where you were not born.
What is the difference between native and local?
A native of a place was actually born there. A local simply lives there now, whether or not they were born in the area. So a person can be a local without being a native, having moved in later, and remain a native of their birthplace long after leaving it. Birth is the key idea behind native.
Can native also be an adjective?
Yes, and it is very common. As an adjective it means connected with someone by birth or origin: your native country, your native language, or being native to a region. It can also describe plants and animals that occur naturally in an area rather than being introduced, as in native wildflowers or native species.
What is an example of native as a noun?
You might say She is a native of Cardiff, meaning she was born there, or He's a native of the coast. The word points simply to a person's place of birth. When describing people this way, the phrasing a native of a place is the neutral, standard form.