aboriginal

1 of 2

adjective

ab·​orig·​i·​nal ˌa-bə-ˈrij-nəl How to pronounce aboriginal (audio)
-ˈri-jə-nᵊl
1
: being the first or earliest known of its kind present in a region
aboriginal forests
aboriginal rocks
2
: of or relating to the people who have been in a region from the earliest time : of or relating to aborigines
aboriginal languages
aboriginal tribes/customs/art
specifically, often capitalized : of or relating to the indigenous peoples of Australia
aboriginally adverb

aboriginal

2 of 2

noun

1
2
often capitalized : aborigine sense 2
Choose the Right Synonym for aboriginal

native, indigenous, endemic, aboriginal mean belonging to a locality.

native implies birth or origin in a place or region and may suggest compatibility with it.

native tribal customs

indigenous applies to that which is not only native but which, as far as can be determined, has never been introduced or brought from elsewhere.

indigenous plants

endemic implies being peculiar to a region.

a disease endemic in Africa

aboriginal implies having no known others preceding in occupancy of a particular region.

the aboriginal peoples of Australia

Examples of aboriginal in a Sentence

Adjective the aboriginal peoples of Australia the aboriginal peoples of northern Alaska are known as Inupiats, which in their language literally means “real people” Noun they still speak the language of the region's aboriginals
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The Ainu’s story is poignantly reminiscent of that of aboriginal folk elsewhere: lost land, language, culture and rights. Gavin J Blair, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Nov. 2024 Archaeological Planet is a museum dedicated to the history of Puerto Rico’s native aboriginal population, which includes thousands of artifacts that will transport you back in time. Zayda Rivera, Parents, 19 Sep. 2024
Noun
Those clauses were removed in the 1960s, leaving no mention of aboriginals at all. The Economist, 5 July 2018 These people are too far away to show a direct link between them and the Clovis in such a way that indicates the Clovis being the aboriginals of South America. Adam Rutherford, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2017 See all Example Sentences for aboriginal 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

aborigine + -al entry 1

Noun

noun derivative of aboriginal entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aboriginal was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near aboriginal

Cite this Entry

“Aboriginal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aboriginal. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

aboriginal

adjective
ab·​orig·​i·​nal
ˌab-ə-ˈrij-nəl,
-ən-ᵊl
1
: being the first of its kind in a region : indigenous
2
: of, relating to, or being aborigines
aboriginally
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on aboriginal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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