“Indigenous” in a Sentence — Here’s How It Works!

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We humans love to label the things we experience in the world. We label them as “new” or “old,” such as when we talk about houses; other times, we describe them as “big” or “small,” such as when we talk about hills.

We might refer to smells in the air as “fragrant” or “stinky.”

Another word you may come across that labels aspects of the world is “indigenous.” 

 

What is the meaning of the word “indigenous”?

The adjective “indigenous” describes something that is produced or grown in a specific environment, region, or area. It also describes something that occurs naturally or natively in a specific environment, region, or area. Examples of things the word “indigenous” can describe include plants, animals, people, and cultures.
 

What kinds of things can be indigenous?

Plants, trees, soil, rocks, land formations, minerals, animals, and cultures can all be indigenous to a particular part of the world, a particular country, or a particular state or province. Alligators are indigenous to the Southern United States. The brown bear is indigenous to Spain.

The State of Georgia in the United States is known for its indigenous red soil. Norway has vast, indigenous mountain ranges. African violets are an indigenous plant in East Africa. 

People can be indigenous to particular areas. The Mapuche in Chile and the Native Americans of the United States are examples.
 

How do I use the word “indigenous” in a sentence?

You can use the word to describe human beings who have lived in a particular place for thousands or even tens of thousands of years. 

“Indigenous” can also be used to describe plants or trees.

The word is often used to describe animals that are native to a country or a region of a country.

When is the word “indigenous” appropriate?

The word is best used when describing a group of people whose history in a country or region goes back a very, very long time – thousands of years. You could refer to “the indigenous people” or “the indigenous inhabitants.”

Any sentence in which you talk about a species of plant, tree, or animal that has existed in an area or environment for thousands – or even tens of thousands – of years can be an appropriate place to use “indigenous.”

As an example, “The indigenous Egyptian Black Desert Cobra is as dangerous as the conditions in which it lives.”

If you’re discussing aspects of a culture in a particular part of the world, the word “indigenous” can be useful.

In an article about cheesemaking, you could write, “Pecorino Romano is a sheep’s milk cheese indigenous to Rome, and it’s been made for two thousand years.”
 

What words can I replace with “indigenous”?

Words such as “domestic,” “native,” and “original” can be replaced with “indigenous.” Before you do it, though, make sure you look at the context of your sentence because “indigenous” might not be appropriate in every situation.

For example, if someone asks you what kind of beer you like and you answer, “I like indigenous beer” instead of answering, “I like domestic beer,” that would be an awkward response.

It’s true that “indigenous” can mean something that is produced in a specific area (a country, for example). It’s also true that beer is a product.

For those reasons, it’s understandable that you would think that you could use “indigenous” to describe the kind of beer you like. However, “indigenous” implies that the specific object it describes has existed for a very long time. That factor isn’t relevant in this situation. 

The question “What kind of beer do you like?” isn’t concerned with how long ago your favorite beer was first made.

The question is concerned with where your favorite beer originates (USA, Germany, or Mexico, for instance) or its style (lager, ale, or stout, for example). For those reasons, “domestic” is the better word to describe the kind of beer you like.

When you meet someone for the first time, one of the most common questions that person will ask you is, “Where are you from?” If you were born in California, you might reply, “I’m an indigenous Californian.”

In this context, your answer will sound awkward to the other person. In addition, he or she may think you mean that you’re descended from an indigenous tribe that lived in the area that is now California.

If you mean that you were born in California, the better answer is, “I’m a native Californian.”

Say that you’re talking with your friend Charlie and you say to him, “Joan got fired from her job for showing up late too many times. Did you hear about that?” Charlie replies, “Yes. Bridget told me, and she said she heard it from Juan.”

You shake your head and say, “No, she couldn’t have heard it from Juan because I told Bridget. I was the indigenous source.”

Charlie will probably frown and have a puzzled expression on his face.

In this case, “indigenous” isn’t a suitable substitute for “original” because you’re not trying to convey that knowledge of Joan losing her job was produced or grown in a specific environment, region, or area.

You’re also not trying to describe that knowledge as something that occurs naturally or natively in a specific environment or region.

In the context of your conversation with Charlie, you’re communicating to him that you are the first person to relay the news that Joan was fired to Bridget.

In this situation, the word “original” is the right word to use.

“Indigenous” is a word that has specific meanings and specific situations in which its use is appropriate. Use it in the correct context, and you’ll communicate your point with brevity and effectiveness.