adjective
inbred
IHN-brehd
adjective
1
Present from birth; deeply natural or instinctive rather than learned.
"She has an inbred sense of fairness that she's had since childhood."
2
Produced by breeding between closely related individuals.
"The dog's health problems were likely caused by generations of inbred breeding."
3
Closed off and only interacting within its own small group.
"Critics called the industry inbred, with the same small circle promoting one another."
How to Use Inbred
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither something innate you were born with, or the result of breeding among close relatives.
When to use it
Used of people or animals in the "closely related breeding" sense can be considered an insult; use carefully.
Common pairings
inbred trait
inbred population
Word Forms
more inbred comparative, inbreds plural, most inbred superlative
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She has an _____ sense of fairness that she's had since childhood.
Etymology
From the past participle of inbreed — in- plus bred.