Aboriginal
ab-uh-RIHJ-ih-nuhl
Aboriginal (adj) means relating to the original, native inhabitants of a region, especially before colonization. Example: “The museum has a large collection of aboriginal art.”
adj
1
Relating to the original, native inhabitants of a region, especially before colonization.
"The museum has a large collection of aboriginal art."
noun
1
(often capitalized, Aboriginal) A member of the indigenous peoples of Australia.
"The tour included a talk with an Aboriginal elder about traditional land use."
How to use Aboriginal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes the earliest known inhabitants of a place — most often used specifically for Aboriginal Australians.
When to use it
When referring to Australia's indigenous peoples, capitalize as "Aboriginal," and note that many prefer more specific nation/community names where possible.
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Etymology
From Latin ab origine, "from the beginning/origin."
Synonyms
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indigenous
native
first peoples
original inhabitants
primeval
primal
primordial
primaeval
indigene
indigen
aborigine
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for Aboriginal
See all rhymes for Aboriginal →Frequently asked questions
What does “Aboriginal” mean?
The word “Aboriginal” means relating to the original, native inhabitants of a region, especially before colonization. In plain terms, describes the earliest known inhabitants of a place — most often used specifically for Aboriginal Australians.
How do you pronounce “Aboriginal”?
“Aboriginal” is pronounced ab-uh-RIHJ-ih-nuhl (/ˌæb.əˈɹɪd͡ʒ.n̩.l̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “Aboriginal” in a sentence?
Here is “Aboriginal” used in a sentence: “The museum has a large collection of aboriginal art.”
What part of speech is “Aboriginal”?
Depending on how it is used, “Aboriginal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “Aboriginal” come from?
The word “Aboriginal” comes from Latin. From Latin ab origine, "from the beginning/origin.".
Is “Aboriginal” a common word?
“Aboriginal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “Aboriginal” have?
“Aboriginal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the original, native inhabitants of a region, especially before colonization.
What is the difference between "Aboriginal" and "Indigenous"?
"Aboriginal" relates specifically to the original, native inhabitants of a region before colonization, and in Australia it often refers to the indigenous peoples of that continent. "Indigenous" is a broader umbrella term that can apply to native peoples anywhere in the world, including but not limited to Aboriginal Australians.
When should "Aboriginal" be capitalized?
When referring to the indigenous peoples of Australia, "Aboriginal" is typically capitalized as a proper adjective or noun, since it names a specific group. When used generically to mean "original, native inhabitants" of any region, it is often left lowercase.
Is "an Aboriginal" the correct way to refer to a person?
As a noun, "Aboriginal" (often capitalized) can refer to a member of the indigenous peoples of Australia, though many now prefer "Aboriginal person" or "Aboriginal Australian" over using the noun alone. The adjective form, as in "Aboriginal culture," is widely accepted.
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