innately

From the start

Innately means as an inborn quality rather than something learned or acquired.

It describes characteristics present from birth or arising from essential nature: Humans are innately curious.

The word often appears in debates about nature versus nurture: Are we innately selfish, or does society make us that way?

inherent

intrinsically

By its very nature

congenitally · inborn · hardwired · embedded · deep-rooted · ingrained · built-in · indelibly · permanently · unchangeably

instinctive

intuitively

By innate understanding

viscerally · spontaneously · unconsciously · automatically · involuntarily · unthinkingly · primal · unreflectively

biological

genetically

Pertaining to inherited traits

physiologically · neurologically · temperamentally · dispositionally · constitutionally · ancestrally

Opposites
origin of trait or quality

innatelylearnedly

With extensive knowledge

extrinsically · environmentally · culturally · socially · artificially

natural vs. artificial process

innatelyartificially

In a manufactured way

unnaturally · synthetically · by design · mechanically · affectedly

Phrases
Family

innate, innateness

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G