native

Native is an adjective and a noun used to describe something that originates or occurs naturally in a particular place or context, or a person born in a given place. It can refer to people, languages, or cultural communities, as well as plants and animals that are indigenous to a region.

In biology and ecology, native (or indigenous) species are those that occur naturally in a region without human introduction. They are contrasted with non-native or introduced species, which arrive through human activity. Native flora and fauna are often adapted to local climate and interactions within an ecosystem, while non-native species can become invasive and disrupt ecological balance. The terms native and endemic are related but not identical; endemic species are native to and restricted to a specific, limited area.

In linguistics, a native language is the first language learned during childhood, and a native speaker is someone fluent in that language as their primary means of communication. The concept can influence identity and cultural heritage, though it intersects with situations of bilingualism and language shift.

In computing, native describes software or code that is built to run directly on a particular platform or architecture, utilizing the platform’s APIs and compiled for its runtime. Native applications typically offer optimized performance and user experience compared to non-native or interpreted solutions.

Etymology traces native to the Latin nasci, meaning “to be born,” passing through Old French natif into English. In social and political contexts, usage can reflect debates on rights and identity, with careful attention to precision and sensitivity. Alternatives include indigenous, autochthonous, or local, depending on context.