Indigenous

adjective

Frequency

Medium

CEFR Level

Neutral

Domain

Origin

Definition

1. Belonging to a place originally.
2. Native to a region, used for people, animals, or plants.

Context Alive

The documentary explored a remote region of the Amazon. It focused on the indigenous communities who have lived there for thousands of years, protecting the forest and passing their traditions down through generations.

Meanings

2 meanings

1 People Who Originally Lived in a Place (Adjective) Very Common ▼

This meaning is about the first people to live in a land. Imagine visiting New Zealand and learning about the Māori — the indigenous people who lived there long before European settlers arrived. This is calling someone indigenous — they are the original inhabitants. You might read about “indigenous communities in Canada” or hear someone say “we must protect indigenous languages.” Or picture a museum exhibit showing how indigenous tribes in the Amazon have survived for centuries using their own knowledge of the land. The word carries deep respect and historical weight. ✏️ Indigenous is the preferred term today when referring to original peoples — it is more respectful than older terms like “primitive” or “native.”

Vivid Example

The government finally recognized the rights of the indigenous population after years of protest. Land was returned to the communities, and their cultural heritage was officially protected by new laws.

2 Plants or Animals Native to a Place (Adjective) Common ▼

This meaning is about living things that naturally belong in a specific place. Imagine hiking through Australia and spotting a koala. Your guide explains that koalas are indigenous to Australia — they evolved here and exist nowhere else naturally. This is using indigenous to describe something that belongs to a place by nature. You might hear “these flowers are indigenous to the Mediterranean” or “the park protects indigenous species.” Or think about a scientist warning that imported fish are threatening indigenous species in a local river. The word suggests a natural, original connection to the land. ✏️ In this meaning, “indigenous” is very close to “native” — both mean the species belongs there naturally, not brought from somewhere else.

Vivid Example

The island was famous for its rich wildlife. Scientists discovered several indigenous plant species that couldn’t be found anywhere else on Earth, making conservation efforts even more urgent.

Examples from the Street

“The land was taken from the indigenous people centuries ago.”

The territory was seized from the native inhabitants who had lived there originally, hundreds of years back

“We need to protect indigenous languages before they disappear.”

We must safeguard the native tongues of original communities before they’re lost forever

“This plant is indigenous to Australia.”

This species originally comes from and naturally grows in Australia — it wasn’t brought from somewhere else

Common Patterns

indigenous people/peoples/communities → the original inhabitants of a land or region

indigenous culture/traditions/languages → the customs, practices, and tongues of original populations

indigenous rights/land/territories → legal and political issues relating to original inhabitants

indigenous population/groups → the native inhabitants as a demographic

Indigenous (capitalised) → used as a respectful proper term when referring specifically to recognised native communities (e.g., Indigenous Australians)

indigenous to [place] → naturally originating from a specific region

indigenous species/plants/wildlife → organisms that occur naturally in an area

indigenous resources/materials → raw materials that come from the local region

Collocations

3 collocations

indigenous people

the original inhabitants of a region

indigenous culture

traditions of the first peoples of an area

indigenous species

plants or animals native to a particular place

Example Sentences

12 examples

The indigenous people of this region have lived here for over ten thousand years

The original inhabitants of this area have occupied this land for more than a hundred centuries.

The government finally issued a formal apology to indigenous communities for decades of mistreatment

The authorities at last offered an official expression of regret to the native populations for years of unjust treatment.

Many indigenous languages are at risk of dying out within a generation

A large number of native tongues could vanish completely within the next twenty to thirty years.

The festival celebrates indigenous culture through music, dance, and storytelling

The event honours the traditions of the original inhabitants through performances, movement, and oral narratives.

Protecting indigenous rights to land and resources has become a major political issue

Defending the legal claims of native populations over their territory and natural wealth has turned into a significant debate.

This tree is indigenous to South America and doesn’t grow naturally anywhere else

This species originally comes from the southern continent and isn’t found in the wild in any other part of the world.

The park is home to dozens of indigenous species that can’t be found outside this island

The reserve contains dozens of native organisms that exist nowhere else beyond this piece of land.

The museum has a new exhibition on indigenous traditions and their influence on modern art

The gallery has opened a fresh display exploring the customs of original communities and how they’ve shaped contemporary creative work.

Builders used indigenous materials — local stone and timber — to construct the houses

The construction workers relied on resources found naturally in the area — nearby rock and wood — to put up the homes.

The Indigenous population now makes up roughly five per cent of the country’s total

The native inhabitants currently account for approximately one in twenty of the nation’s residents.

Learner Examples

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Learning about indigenous cultures through English opens a window into histories and perspectives that mainstream textbooks often ignore

Studying the traditions of original communities in the language gives access to stories and viewpoints that standard course materials frequently overlook.

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When teaching vocabulary about identity and belonging, it’s important to include words like “indigenous” so students can discuss global issues with sensitivity and accuracy

When covering terms related to who people are and where they come from, it’s essential to teach expressions like this so learners can talk about world affairs with care and precision.

Synonyms & Antonyms

7 items

Synonyms

native

originally from a place

local

belonging to an area

aboriginal

first inhabitants

original

existing from the start

Antonyms

foreign

from another place

imported

brought from elsewhere

non-native

not originally from there