congenital
/kənˈdʒenɪtl/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈdʒenɪtl/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈje-nə-tᵊl kän-/ (ame, mw)
congenital — adjective
- congenitalpositive
- more congenitalcomparative
- most congenitalsuperlative
1. A congenital medical condition is present from the moment a person is born — it
A congenital medical condition is present from the moment a person is born — it exists at birth rather than being caught or developing later in life.
Chioma was born with a congenital heart defect that required surgery when she was a toddler.
collocation: congenital + [body part/condition]
The paediatrician told Vikram's parents that the baby's mild congenital hip problem would correct itself over time.
Dewi learned that her frequent ear infections as a child were linked to a congenital ear-structure issue.
Many congenital hearing disorders can now be treated before a child reaches their first birthday.
Wei's congenital eye condition meant he needed thick glasses from a very early age.
- acquired
describes a disease or condition that develops after birth, such as an acquired infection
文法句型
congenital + [medical condition]
用法筆記
Almost always used attributively (before the noun it describes), as in 'a congenital heart defect.' The predicative form ('the condition is congenital') is possible but much less common.
常見錯誤
2. When a bad quality is described as congenital in a person, it appears to be buil
When a bad quality is described as congenital in a person, it appears to be built into their nature from the start and is very unlikely to change.
Diego is a congenital liar — he cannot tell the truth even about things that do not matter.
collocation: congenital liar
Deepa's congenital pessimism made it hard for anyone in the office to keep a positive mood around her.
The film critic said the director showed a congenital inability to tell a story in under three hours.
Shira's congenital tendency to exaggerate every small event made her stories hard to believe.
- innate
neutral in tone — can describe good or bad traits, whereas 'congenital' in this sense is always negative
- inherent
more formal and neutral; does not carry the same negative implication
- inveterate
stronger, usually of a long-standing habit or practice rather than a character trait
- learned
acquired through experience or education rather than present from the start
文法句型
congenital + [negative quality noun]
用法筆記
Only used for negative personal qualities — never for positive traits. Common nouns that follow it include liar, pessimist, inability, dishonesty, laziness, and tendency to [something negative].