Main Difference – Native vs Indigenous

The two terms native and indigenous have similar meanings; they both refer to living or non-living things that belong to a particular place by birth. Even the dictionary definitions of these two terms overlap to a great extent. For example, the Oxford dictionary defines indigenous by using the term native. Thus, native and indigenous are similar in meaning. However, there is a subtle difference between native and indigenous in terms of usage. The main difference between native and indigenous is that indigenous is often used to the non-white, original inhabitants of a place and the usage of native to refer to non-white, original inhabitants of a place can cause offense.

What Does Native Mean – Definition, Meaning and Usage

The term native is derived from Latin nativus; the affix nat- refers to birth. Thus, native can be defined as belonging to a particular place by birth. The adjective native can be used with plants, animals as well as people. As a noun, native specifically refers to people born in a specific location. The following examples will help you to understand the different meanings of native.

What Does Indigenous Mean – Definition, Meaning and Usage

Indigenous is an adjective that can be defined as “produced, living, or existing naturally in a particular region or environment”. This term indigenous can also be used to refer to plants, animals, and people. Look at the following examples to understand the meaning of the term indigenous.