congenital

Congenital describes something present from birth. (adjective)

A heart defect that exists when you are born is an example of something that would be described as acongenital heart defect.

See congenital in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

Related Forms:

See congenital in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(kən-jĕnˈĭ-tl)

adjective

Of or relating to a condition that is present at birth, as a result of either heredity or environmental influences: a congenital heart defect; congenital syphilis.
Being or having an essential characteristic as if by nature; inherent or inveterate: “the congenital American optimism that denies conflicts and imagines all stories having happy endings” (Robert J. Samuelson). See Synonyms at innate.

Related Forms:

Learn more about congenital

» congenital synonyms

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