nonindigenous

Intermediate (B1)

IPA: /nɒnˈɪndɪdʒɪnəs/

KK: /nɑnˈɪndɪdʒənəs/

adjective

Definition

Referring to species or people that are not originally from a particular area or environment.

Example

The nonindigenous plants in the garden can sometimes outcompete the local species.

Conversation

Did you know that some plants are nonindigenous to our area?

Really? I had no idea!

Yeah, they can sometimes harm the local ecosystem.

That makes sense; it's important to protect native species.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

foreign

alien

exotic

Antonyms

native

indigenous

local

Root Explanation

Nonindigenous → It is formed from "non-" (meaning not) and "indigenous" (from Latin "indigenus", meaning native or born in a place). The word "nonindigenous" refers to something that is not native to a particular place or environment.

Memory Tip

Think of 'non-' meaning 'not' and 'indigenous' meaning 'native' — so nonindigenous describes something that is not native.

Visually Confused Words