1.15.2009

INNATE / BORN / INBORN / INSTINCTIVE / INBRED / CONGENITAL / HEREDITARY

An ability that is inborn or instinctive. These adjectives mean existing in a person or thing from birth or origin. Ex.: a born athlete
Something that is innate seems essential to the nature, character, or constitution: innate common sense.
Inborn strongly implies that something has been present since birth: inborn intelligence.
What is inbred has often been ingrained through earliest training or associations: an inbred love of music.
Congenital is applied principally to characteristics, especially defects, acquired during fetal development: a congenital disease. It is also used figuratively of characteristics or people with characteristics that are so deep-seated as to appear natural: a congenital pessimism; a congenital liar.
Hereditary refers to what is transmitted by biological heredity (a hereditary heart anomaly) or by tradition: “that ignorance and superstitiousness hereditary to all sailors” (Herman Melville). Source: Answers.com