born

adjective

ˈbȯrn 

1

a

: brought forth by or as if by birth

The baby was born prematurely.

She was born in Germany.

a mentality born in the computer age

b

: native

—usually used in combination

American-born

c

: deriving or resulting from

a partnership born of necessity

—usually used in combination

poverty-born crime

2

a

: having from birth specified qualities

was born blind

Mark Twain was born Samuel Clemens.

a born leader

b

: being in specified circumstances from birth

nobly born

born poor

born into wealth

3

: destined from or as if from birth

born to succeed

Synonyms

• congenital
• natural

Examples of born in a Sentence

She was born in a hospital.

He was born on a farm.

She was born in Nigeria in 1911.

The baby was born on July 31st.

Their second son was born prematurely.

Both twins were born healthy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Shaw has said he was reborn after the shooting and years later would become a born-again Christian. —Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, 9 June 2019

In his mid-40s, Mr. Phillips had quietly become a born-again Christian after attending a Billy Graham rally. —James R. Hagerty, WSJ, 18 Jan. 2019

Some team members, like Gregory and Chris, both 13 years old and born days apart, have been playing together since the age of 6 or 7. —Melanie Grayce West, WSJ, 21 Aug. 2018

The 18-year-old, born Megan Bulow, only just finished school. —Lyndsey Havens, Billboard, 26 June 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English boren, past participle of beran to carry — more at bear

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing born

• born-again
• born and bred
• born/natural leader
• born of necessity
• born out of
• born out of wedlock
• born too late
• born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
• foreign-born
• in all my born days
• native-born
• natural born
• self-born
• there's a sucker born every minute
• there's one born every minute
• to the manner born
• to the manor born
• twice-born
• wasn't born yesterday

Kids Definition

born

adjective

ˈbȯ(ə)rn 

1

a

: brought into life by or as if by birth

b

: native entry 1 sense 2

American-born

2

: having from birth a certain ability or characteristic

a born leader

3

: meant from or as if from birth

born to rule

Biographical Definition

Born

biographical name

ˈbȯrn 

Max 1882–1970 German physicist