adjective
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
‘the indigenous peoples of Siberia’
- ‘coriander is indigenous to southern Europe’
- ‘Similarly, the terms native or indigenous are often euphemisms for what used to be termed primitive.’
- ‘Discrimination against indigenous pygmies and ethnic minorities is a problem.’
- ‘Many Western readers deny that there are any such tales of indigenous African provenance.’
- ‘Those who speak indigenous languages or wear traditional dress are styled Indians.’
- ‘These mountains are famous as one of the great bastions of the indigenous language and culture of the Berbers.’
- ‘It uses mostly electric instruments, but draws heavily on indigenous styles and themes.’
- ‘How has it got a name in the indigenous language if it is not an indigenous species?’
- ‘Music in this country is listened to by the majority which speak indigenous languages.’
- ‘In some cases indigenous languages can be swamped by intrusive ones over a relatively short period of time.’
- ‘The Festival should be growing an indigenous culture rather than importing one from elsewhere.’
- ‘His book opened many readers' eyes to the natural beauty of indigenous plants.’
- ‘Neither is indigenous in the manner that Indians were indigenous to North America.’
- ‘Worst hit by the land clearances are the indigenous tribes that have lived for thousands of years in the forests.’
- ‘The tree is indigenous to the Mediterranean region, but will grow much further north.’
- ‘Soybeans are indigenous to China and have long been a part of that country's diet.’
- ‘Some agreements were reached, including the recognition of indigenous communities.’
- ‘Our lamb is from a breed of sheep indigenous to the fells around Kendal.’
- ‘The plant extract is found in cloves and also in several Cape indigenous plant species.’
- ‘The indigenous Maoris took to the game as much as the Anglo-Saxon population.’
- ‘Yet it is not merely the insects and tides that are conjured by the indigenous name for the region.’
Origin
Mid 17th century from Latin indigena ‘a native’ (see indigene) + -ous.