adjective
inbred
IHN-brehd
Inbred (adjective) means present from birth; deeply natural or instinctive rather than learned. Example: “She has an inbred sense of fairness that she's had since childhood.”
adjective
1
Present from birth; deeply natural or instinctive rather than learned.
"She has an inbred sense of fairness that she's had since childhood."
2
Produced by breeding between closely related individuals.
"The dog's health problems were likely caused by generations of inbred breeding."
3
Closed off and only interacting within its own small group.
"Critics called the industry inbred, with the same small circle promoting one another."
How to use inbred
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither something innate you were born with, or the result of breeding among close relatives.
When to use it
Used of people or animals in the "closely related breeding" sense can be considered an insult; use carefully.
Common pairings
inbred trait
inbred population
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Word forms
- Plural
- inbreds
- Comparative
- more inbred
- Superlative
- most inbred
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She has an _____ sense of fairness that she's had since childhood.
Etymology
From the past participle of inbreed — in- plus bred.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
outbred
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “inbred” mean?
The word “inbred” means present from birth; deeply natural or instinctive rather than learned. In plain terms, either something innate you were born with, or the result of breeding among close relatives.
How do you pronounce “inbred”?
“Inbred” is pronounced IHN-brehd (/ˈɪnˌbɹɛd/ in IPA).
How do you use “inbred” in a sentence?
Here is “inbred” used in a sentence: “She has an inbred sense of fairness that she's had since childhood.”
What is another word for “inbred”?
Words with a similar meaning to “inbred” include indigenous.
What part of speech is “inbred”?
“Inbred” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “inbred” have?
“Inbred” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: present from birth; deeply natural or instinctive rather than learned.
