Your native country or area is the country or area where you were born and brought up.
It was his first visit to his native country since 1948.
Mother Teresa visited her native Albania.
2. countable noun
A native of a particular country or region is someone who was born in that country or region.
Dr Aubin is a native of St Blaise. [+ of]
...two Dutch volunteer workmen, natives of Tilburg.
Native is also an adjective.
Joshua Halpern is a native Northern Californian.
...men and women native to countries such as Japan. [+ to]
3. countable noun
Some European people use native to refer to a person living in a non-Western country who belongs to the race or tribe that the majority of people there belong to. This use could cause offence.
They used force to banish the natives from the more fertile land.
Native is also an adjective.
Native people were allowed to retain some sense of their traditional culture andreligion.
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Your native language or tongue is the first language that you learned to speak when you were a child.
She spoke not only her native language, Swedish, but also English and French.
French is not my native tongue.
Synonyms: mother, indigenous, vernacular More Synonyms of native
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Plants or animals that are native to a particular region live or grow there naturally and were not brought there.
...a project to create a 50 acre forest of native Caledonian pines.
Many of the plants are native to Brazil. [+ to]
Native is also a noun.
The coconut palm is a native of Malaysia. [+ of]
6. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A native ability or quality is one that you possess naturally without having to learn it.
We have our native inborn talent, yet we hardly use it.
7.
See go native
More Synonyms of native
native in British English
(ˈneɪtɪv)
adjective
1.
relating or belonging to a person or thing by virtue of conditions existing at the time of birth
my native city
2.
inherent, natural, or innate
a native strength
3.
born in a specified place
a native German
4. (whenpostpositive, foll by to)
originating in a specific place or area
kangaroos are native to Australia
5.
characteristic of or relating to the indigenous inhabitants of a country or area
the native art of the New Guinea Highlands
6.
(of chemical elements, esp metals) found naturally in the elemental form
7.
unadulterated by civilization, artifice, or adornment; natural
8. archaic
related by birth or race
9. computing
(of an application, software, etc) designed to run on a specific platform
10. go native
noun
11. (usually foll by of)
a person born in a particular place
a native of Geneva
12. (usually foll by of)
a species originating in a particular place or area
the kangaroo is a native of Australia
13.
a member of an indigenous people of a country or area, esp a non-White people, as opposed to colonial settlers and immigrants
14. offensive, old-fashioned
any person of a non-White ethnic group
▶ USAGE Because of its potentially offensive and colonial overtones, native as a noun without qualification is best avoided. It is however acceptable when modified,as in natives of Edinburgh or a native of North Carolina
Derived forms
natively (ˈnatively)
adverb
nativeness (ˈnativeness)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin nātīvus innate, natural, from nascī to be born
native in American English
(ˈneitɪv)
adjective
1.
being the place or environment in which a person was born or a thing came into being
one's native land
2.
belonging to a person by birth or to a thing by nature; inherent
native ability
native grace
3.
belonging by birth to a people regarded as indigenous to a certain place, esp. a preliterate people
Native guides accompanied the expedition through the rain forest
4.
of indigenous origin, growth, or production
native pottery
5.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the indigenous inhabitants of a place or country
native customs
native dress
6.
born in a particular place or country
a native New Yorker
7.
of or pertaining to a language acquired by a person before or to the exclusion of any other language
Her native language is Greek
8.
pertaining to or characteristic of a person using his or her native language
a native speaker of English
native command of a language
9.
under the rule of natives
a native government
10.
occupied by natives
the native quarter of Algiers
11.
remaining or growing in a natural state; unadorned or unchanged
the native beauty of a desert island
12.
forming the source or origin of a person or thing
He returned to his native Kansas
13.
originating naturally in a particular country or region, as animals or plants
14.
found in nature rather than produced artificially, as a mineral substance
the difference between native and industrial diamonds
15. Chemistry & Mineralogy(of metals)
occurring in nature pure or uncombined
native copper
16.
belonging to a person as a birthright
to deprive a person of his native rights
17. Computing
a.
designed for use with a specific type of computer
writing native applications for 32-bit PCs
b.
internal to a specific application program
to view the file in its native format
18. archaic
closely related, as by birth
19. See go native
noun
20.
one of the people indigenous to a place or country, esp. as distinguished from strangers, foreigners, colonizers, etc
the natives of Chile
21.
a person born in a particular place or country
a native of Ohio
22.
an organism indigenous to a particular region
23. Brit
an oyster reared in British waters, esp. in an artificial bed
24. Astrology
a person born under a particular planet
Derived forms
natively
adverb
nativeness
noun
Word origin
[1325–75; ‹ L nātīvus inborn, natural, equiv. to nāt(us) (ptp. of nāscī to be born) + -īvus-ive; r. ME natif (adj.) ‹ MF ‹ L, as above]
Examples of 'native' in a sentence
native
My native town is a highly individual place.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We also enjoyed singing one of their folk songs in their native language.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Neither did he go quietly when leaving his native country.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
How could he do it without a grasp of their native tongue?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The native population at first seemed harmless.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
League who sends the bulk of his pay cheque back to his native country.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is where for centuries the native population used to kill bison by driving them over a precipice.
The Sun (2006)
That happens in a squad where folk speak different native languages and stars compete so determinedly for places.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Having lost his native land, … he became a citizen of the world.
Christianity Today (2000)
There are areas of native woodland too, managed for conservation purposes.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Men felt at one with their native place, loved its beauty and took pride in its history.
Bryant, Arthur The Search for Justice - a history of Britain and the British people Volume III (1990)
The moral drama of her native land occupied her entire life: all her books and all her consciousness were about it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Played three times for his native Northern Ireland.
The Sun (2012)
White has gone native.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
native
British English: native /ˈneɪtɪv/ ADJECTIVE
Your native country or area is the country or area where you were born and brought up.
She returned to her native country this week.
American English: native
Arabic: أهليٌّ
Brazilian Portuguese: nativo
Chinese: 本国的
Croatian: domaći
Czech: rodný
Danish: indfødt
Dutch: geboorte-
European Spanish: natal
Finnish: synnyin-
French: natif
German: Heimat-
Greek: γηγενής
Italian: nativo
Japanese: 出生地の
Korean: 태어난
Norwegian: innfødt
Polish: rodzimy
European Portuguese: nativo
Romanian: natal
Russian: родной
Latin American Spanish: natal
Swedish: infödd
Thai: พื้นเมือง
Turkish: yerli
Ukrainian: рідний
Vietnamese: thuộc nơi sinh
British English: native NOUN
A native of a particular country or region is someone who was born in that country or region.
She is a native of that city.
American English: native
Brazilian Portuguese: nativo
Chinese: 本国人
European Spanish: natural
French: natif
German: Einheimische
Italian: nativo
Japanese: ～の出身者
Korean: ~지역 출신인 사람
European Portuguese: nativo
Latin American Spanish: natural
Chinese translation of 'native'
native
(ˈneɪtɪv)
adj
[country]本国(國)的 (běnguó de)
[language, tongue]母语(語)的 (mǔyǔ de)
[plant, species]土生的 (tǔshēng de)
n(c)
当(當)地人 (dāngdìrén) (位, wèi)
to be a native of Canada/France[person]是加拿大/法国(國)本地人 (shì Jiānádà/Fǎguó běndìrén)
to be native to Canada/France[plant, animal]是加拿大/法国(國)本土的 (shì Jiānádà/Fǎguó běntǔ de)
All related terms of 'native'
native speaker
讲(講)母语(語)的人 jiǎng mǔyǔ de rén
Native American
印第安人 Yìndì'ānrén [ 个(個) gè ]
to be a native of Canada/France
( person ) 是加拿大/法国(國)本地人 shì Jiānádà/Fǎguó běndìrén
to be native to Canada/France
( plant, animal ) 是加拿大/法国(國)本土的 shì Jiānádà/Fǎguó běntǔ de
a native speaker of English, an English native speaker
以英语(語)为(為)母语(語)的人 yǐ Yīngyǔ wéi mǔyǔ de rén
1 (adjective)
Definition
relating to a place where a person was born
It was many years since she had lived in her native country.
Synonyms
home
Europe's software companies still have a growing home market.
national
the national characteristics and history of the country
mother
2 (adjective)
Definition
relating to the original inhabitants of a country
a spokeswoman for native peoples around the world
Synonyms
indigenous
the country's indigenous population
local
aboriginal
The country's aboriginal people have been marginalized and forgotten.
autochthonous
ubdugenous
3 (adjective)
French is not my native tongue.
Synonyms
mother
indigenous
vernacular
dialects such as black vernacular English
4 (adjective)
Several native plants also provide edible berries.
Synonyms
domestic
sales in the domestic market
local
indigenous
home-made
home-grown
home
5 (adjective)
Definition
natural or inborn
Her conversation revealed no education but much native wit and shrewdness.
Synonyms
original
natural
He has a natural flair for business.
built-in
These corporations enjoy substantial built-in advantages.
inherited
inherent
the dangers inherent in an outbreak of war
natal
hereditary
instinctive
It's an instinctive reaction. If a child falls you pick it up.
innate
As a race, they have an innate sense of fairness.
intrinsic
Diamonds have little intrinsic value.
endemic
ingrained
Morals tend to be deeply ingrained.
congenital
She has a congenital disease.
inveterate
inbred
behaviour patterns that are inbred
immanent
hierarchy as the immanent principle of Western society
hard-wired
genuine
They are convinced the painting is genuine.
(noun)
Definition
a member of the original race of a country, as opposed to colonial immigrants
He was a native of France.
Synonyms
inhabitant
the inhabitants of Glasgow
national
He is in fact a British national and passport holder.
resident
Ten per cent of residents live below the poverty line.
citizen
The citizens of Greece flocked to the games.
countryman
aborigine
the rights of Australia's aborigines
dweller
The number of city dwellers is growing.
autochthon
Additional synonyms
in the sense of aboriginal
Definition
existing in a place from the earliest known period
The country's aboriginal people have been marginalized and forgotten.
Synonyms
indigenous,
first,
earliest,
original,
primary,
ancient,
native,
primitive,
pristine,
primordial,
primeval,
autochthonous
in the sense of aborigine
Definition
an original inhabitant of a country or region, esp. Australia
the rights of Australia's aborigines
Synonyms
original inhabitant,
native,
aboriginal,
indigene,
autochthon
in the sense of built-in
Definition
essential
These corporations enjoy substantial built-in advantages.
Synonyms
essential,
integral,
included,
incorporated,
inherent,
implicit,
in-built,
intrinsic,
inseparable,
immanent
Synonyms of 'native'
native
Explore 'native' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of citizen
Definition
an inhabitant of a city or town
The citizens of Greece flocked to the games.
Synonyms
inhabitant,
resident,
burgess,
dweller,
ratepayer,
denizen,
subject,
freeman or woman,
burgher,
townsman or woman or person
in the sense of congenital
Definition
(of an abnormal condition) existing at birth but not inherited
She has a congenital disease.
Synonyms
inborn,
innate,
inherent,
hereditary,
natural,
constitutional,
inherited,
inbred,
hard-wired
in the sense of dweller
The number of city dwellers is growing.
Synonyms
inhabitant,
resident,
citizen,
denizen,
indweller
in the sense of genuine
Definition
real and exactly what it appears to be
They are convinced the painting is genuine.
Synonyms
authentic,
real,
original,
actual,
sound,
true,
pure,
sterling,
valid,
legitimate,
honest,
veritable,
bona fide,
dinkum (Australian, New Zealand, informal),
pukka,
the real McCoy
in the sense of immanent
Definition
present within and throughout something
hierarchy as the immanent principle of Western society
Synonyms
inherent,
innate,
intrinsic,
natural,
internal,
indigenous,
subjective,
congenital,
inborn,
hard-wired,
indwelling
in the sense of inbred
Definition
inborn or ingrained
behaviour patterns that are inbred
Synonyms
innate,
natural,
constitutional,
native,
ingrained,
inherent,
deep-seated,
immanent,
hard-wired
in the sense of ingrained
Definition
(of a habit, feeling, or belief) deeply impressed or instilled
Morals tend to be deeply ingrained.
Synonyms
fixed,
rooted,
deep-seated,
fundamental,
constitutional,
inherent,
hereditary,
in the blood,
intrinsic,
deep-rooted,
indelible,
inveterate,
inborn,
inbred,
inbuilt,
ineradicable,
brassbound
in the sense of inherent
Definition
existing as an inseparable part
the dangers inherent in an outbreak of war
Synonyms
intrinsic,
natural,
basic,
central,
essential,
native,
fundamental,
underlying,
hereditary,
instinctive,
innate,
ingrained,
elemental,
congenital,
inborn,
inbred,
inbuilt,
immanent,
hard-wired,
connate,
inherited,
in your blood
in the sense of innate
Definition
existing from birth, rather than acquired
As a race, they have an innate sense of fairness.
Synonyms
inborn,
natural,
inherent,
essential,
native,
constitutional,
inherited,
indigenous,
instinctive,
intuitive,
intrinsic,
ingrained,
congenital,
inbred,
immanent,
in your blood,
hard-wired,
connate
in the sense of instinctive
Definition
done or happening without any logical thought
It's an instinctive reaction. If a child falls you pick it up.
Synonyms
natural,
inborn,
automatic,
unconscious,
mechanical,
native,
inherent,
spontaneous,
reflex,
innate,
intuitive,
subconscious,
involuntary,
visceral,
unthinking,
instinctual,
unlearned,
hard-wired,
unpremeditated,
intuitional
Additional synonyms
in the sense of intrinsic
Definition
essential to the real nature of a thing
Diamonds have little intrinsic value.
Synonyms
essential,
real,
true,
central,
natural,
basic,
radical,
native,
genuine,
fundamental,
constitutional,
built-in,
underlying,
inherent,
elemental,
congenital,
inborn,
inbred
in the sense of national
Definition
characteristic of a particular nation
the national characteristics and history of the country
Synonyms
ethnic,
social,
native,
racial,
indigenous,
tribal
in the sense of national
Definition
a citizen of a particular country
He is in fact a British national and passport holder.
Synonyms
citizen,
subject,
resident,
native,
inhabitant,
domestic
in the sense of natural
Definition
not acquired
He has a natural flair for business.
Synonyms
innate,
native,
characteristic,
indigenous,
inherent,
natal,
instinctive,
intuitive,
congenital,
inborn,
immanent,
in your blood,
hard-wired,
essential
in the sense of resident
Definition
a person who lives in a place
Ten per cent of residents live below the poverty line.