inborn

/ˌɪnˈbɔːn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnˈbɔːrn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin-ˈbȯrn/ (ame, mw)

inborn — adjective

  • inbornpositive
  • more inborncomparative
  • most inbornsuperlative

1. An inborn quality, characteristic, or ability exists naturally in someone from t

1.形容詞B2
釋義

An inborn quality, characteristic, or ability exists naturally in someone from the moment they are born, rather than being acquired or learned later.

例句

Noor has an inborn sense of rhythm that makes her a natural dancer.

inborn + noun phrase (sense of rhythm)

Scientists believe the ability to recognize faces is partly inborn.

predicative: be + partly inborn

同義詞
  • innate

    more formal; common in scientific or philosophical writing (innate immune system, innate knowledge)

  • natural

    broader and more frequent in everyday speech; can describe learned qualities that feel effortless

  • inherent

    emphasizes that a quality is an essential, inseparable part of something; applies to non-living things too

  • instinctive

    refers specifically to behaviors or reactions that happen without conscious thought

反義詞
  • learned

    acquired through experience, education, or training rather than present from birth

  • acquired

    developed after birth, often as a result of environment or practice

文法句型

inborn + noun

be + inborn

用法筆記

Frequently appears before nouns describing personal qualities or talents, such as talent, ability, instinct, curiosity, or sense (of rhythm, direction, humor). Can be used both attributively before a noun and predicatively after a linking verb like be or seem.

常見錯誤

❌She has an inborn skill for painting that she developed over years.
✅She has a natural skill for painting that she developed over years.
💡'inborn' means present from birth, not developed through practice or training.
❌This plant has inborn resistance to pests.
✅This plant has natural resistance to pests.
💡'inborn' usually refers to people or animals, not plants or objects.