Congenital | Definition of congenital by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of CONGENITAL

1

a : existing at or dating from birth <congenital deafness>

b : constituting an essential characteristic : inherent <congenital fear of snakes>

c : acquired during development in the uterus and not through heredity <congenital syphilis>

2

: being such by nature <a congenital liar>

— con·gen·i·tal·ly \-t^əl-ē\ adverb

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Origin of CONGENITAL

Latin congenitus, from com- + genitus, past participle of gignere to bring forth — more at kin

First Known Use: 1796

Related to CONGENITAL

Synonyms: born, natural

Antonyms: nonnatural

Synonym Discussion of CONGENITAL

innate, inborn, inbred, congenital, hereditary mean not acquired after birth. innate applies to qualities or characteristics that are part of one's inner essential nature <an innate sense of fair play>. inborn suggests a quality or tendency either actually present at birth or so marked and deep-seated as to seem so <her inborn love of nature>. inbred suggests something either acquired from parents by heredity or so deeply rooted and ingrained as to seem acquired in that way <inbred political loyalties>. congenital and hereditary refer to what is acquired before or at birth, the former to things acquired during fetal development and the latter to things transmitted from one's ancestors <a congenital heart murmur> <eye color is hereditary>.