congenital
Translation
innate, inborn
Examples
He has a congenital heart defect.
He has a congenital heart defect.
She has a congenital inability to tell lies.
She has a congenital inability to tell lies.
Grammar Patterns
a congenital ((noun)) an inborn (noun) He has a congenital heart defect.
Similar Words
Synonyms: inborn, innate, hereditary; Antonyms: acquired
Etymology
From Latin 'con-' (with) + 'genitus' (past participle of 'gignere', 'to beget'). Literally 'born with'.
Memory Tips
Similar to 'congenial', but notice the 'genital' part, related to birth. 'Con-genital' means 'with birth'.