natives
/ˈneɪtɪvz/ · na·tives
noun
- An aboriginal inhabitant of a region colonized by English-speaking people. The native population of Australia had a rich cultural heritage.
- A person who is native to a place; a person who was born in a place. She was a native of New York City and knew its streets like the back of her hand.
- A native speaker. As a native English speaker, she found it easy to learn other languages.
- Ostrea edulis, a kind of oyster. The restaurant served a variety of oysters, including natives, which were harvested locally.
Did you know? The term 'native' has been used in various contexts, including biology, where it describes a species that is native to a particular region or ecosystem.