Native meaning: Learn the various meanings and uses of

Learn the various meanings and uses of the word native as an adjective, noun, or noun phrase. Find out how native can refer to place, language, origin, culture, or species. In North America, native / Native came into use as an umbrella term for the indigenous inhabitants of America as Indian began to fall out of formal usage (because it originated from Columbus's mistaken belief that he was in India and the people he encountered were Indians). Other designations include Native American, Native Canadian, and American Indian. In Canada, the terms include Inuit and Metis and the adjectives First Nation / First Nations. native meaning, definition, what is native: your native country, town etc is the pla...: Learn more. Define native. native synonyms, native pronunciation, native translation, English dictionary definition of native. adj. 1. a. Being such by birth or origin: a native Scot. b. Being a member of the original inhabitants of a particular place. c. Of, belonging to, or...