inborn

Everyday

1. Inborn means present in a person or animal from birth, not learned later, like an inborn talent or an inborn fear. tree →
2. (medicine) An inborn condition is one a baby is born with. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons it describes natural instincts and traits; in stories and talk about talent it suggests a gift. Phrases: «an inborn talent», «an inborn ability», «inborn instinct».

Examples

• She has an inborn talent for music. tree →
• Babies have an inborn ability to suck. tree →
• Some people think kindness is inborn, but it can be learned too. tree →
• Ducklings have an inborn instinct to follow their mother. tree →
• His love of animals seemed inborn. tree →
• Fear of loud noises is inborn in babies. tree →
• Practice can beat inborn talent. tree →
• The doctor said the heart problem was inborn. tree →
• His inborn cheerfulness, he said, had been tested by a member of the Polytechnic Institution, and the experiment had made him completely happy. tree →

Note

Used before a noun: an inborn talent. Means about the same as «innate» or «natural». Not «inborned». A skill can start inborn and still need practice to grow.