native
NAY-tihv
Native (noun) means someone who was born in a particular place. Example: “As a native of New Orleans, she knew all the best spots for gumbo.”
noun
1
Someone who was born in a particular place.
"As a native of New Orleans, she knew all the best spots for gumbo."
"He's a native of rural Wales but has lived in London for years."
"She is a native of the island and knows every beach."
adj
1
Belonging to a place by birth or original origin, rather than having moved there or been introduced.
"The oak is native to much of Europe and North America."
"Kangaroos are native to Australia and live nowhere else in the wild."
"Planting native flowers helps local bees and butterflies to thrive."
2
Present or built into something from the start, rather than added on later — often used of skills or abilities.
"She has a native talent for languages that she never had to work hard at."
"The boy showed a native sense of rhythm before he had any lessons."
"Her native wit meant she was always quick with a clever reply."
How to use native
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBelonging somewhere from birth or from the start — used for people, plants, animals, and even natural-seeming abilities.
When to use it
Using "native" alone to describe an indigenous person (e.g., "the natives") can sound outdated or loaded; "Indigenous" or naming the specific people/nation is now generally preferred.
Common pairings
native speaker
native to the region
native language
a native of
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Word forms
- Plural
- natives
Fill the gap
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As a _____ of New Orleans, she knew all the best spots for gumbo.
Etymology
From Old French natif, from Latin nātīvus, "born, natural," from nātus, "born."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for native
See all rhymes for 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.
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