DictionaryAI

autochthonous

adjective
Sayaw-TOK-thuh-nuhs/ɔˈtɑkθənəs/UK/ɔːˈtɒkθənəs/

2 meanings of autochthonous

Practice

  1. 1
    nativeadjective
    Belonging to the place where it is found and not coming from anywhere else.

    The museum shows tools made by the autochthonous people of the valley.

    The islanders say they are autochthonous, but their old songs tell of a long trip across the sea.

    Similarindigenous, native, aboriginal

    Oppositeforeign, alien

    Note
  2. 2
    adjective
    Formed or kept where it began, rather than carried there from somewhere else.

    The doctor said the clot was autochthonous, so it had formed right there in the leg.

    Health officials reported the first autochthonous case of the illness in someone who had never left the city.

    Oppositeallochthonous

    Note

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Origin

It comes from "autochthon" plus the ending "-ous". It literally means "native to the soil".

Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 2 facts