noun
aborigines
Aborigines (noun) means the original or earliest known inhabitants of a region. Example: “Historians study the customs of the region's aborigines before European contact.”
noun
1
The original or earliest known inhabitants of a region.
"Historians study the customs of the region's aborigines before European contact."
How to use aborigines
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe first known people to live in a particular place.
When to use it
When referring to Australia's indigenous peoples, "Aboriginal peoples" or specific nation names are generally preferred today over "Aborigines," which some consider outdated or offensive.
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Word forms
- Plural
- the Aborigines
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Historians study the customs of the region's _____ before European contact.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Latin aborigines, plural, "the original inhabitants."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for aborigines
See all rhymes for aborigines →Frequently asked questions
What does “aborigines” mean?
The word “aborigines” means the original or earliest known inhabitants of a region. In plain terms, the first known people to live in a particular place.
How do you use “aborigines” in a sentence?
Here is “aborigines” used in a sentence: “Historians study the customs of the region's aborigines before European contact.”
What part of speech is “aborigines”?
“Aborigines” is a noun.
Where does the word “aborigines” come from?
The word “aborigines” comes from Latin. A learned borrowing from Latin aborigines, plural, "the original inhabitants.".
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