born

Meanings

1. 1adjectiveafter a verb

   Brought into the world at birth; used with was or were to state when or where someone began life.

   Grammar: Used with be: I was born in 1990. Not I born, and not borned.

   Patterns

   • be born in a place
   • be born to someone
   • be born into something

   She was born in Nairobi and raised in London.

   My brother was born during a storm.

   He was born into a family of farmers.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Having a natural gift or quality from the start, as if from birth.

   Grammar: Comes right before a noun: a born leader.

   Patterns

   • a born leader

   Lena is a born storyteller.

   He's a born salesman who can sell anything.

   They were born performers.

3. 3adjectiveafter a verbfigurative

   Started or created, as an idea or movement, usually in a particular time or place.

   Grammar: Often figurative with be born: the idea was born in a café.

   Patterns

   • be born out of something

   The movement was born out of frustration.

   The idea was born during a long train ride.

   The company was born in a garage.

Common combinations

born and raised

I was born and raised in Texas.

born leader

She is a born leader.

be born out of something

The project was born out of necessity.

born yesterday

I wasn't born yesterday, so I doubted him.

newly born

A newly born foal stood up shakily.

born with a silver spoon

He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Synonyms and how they differ

natural

Natural, before a noun, is nearly the same, as in a natural athlete, but is less vivid than born.

innate

Innate describes a quality someone is born with and is formal and not used before most people nouns.

inborn

Inborn describes traits from birth and can be used for talents and diseases alike.

native

Native refers to a place of origin, not a gift or trait.

Opposites

Word family

birth noun

the act of being born

newborn noun

a baby just born

unborn adjective

not yet born

stillborn adjective

born dead

bear verb

to give birth to; born is its past participle in passive use

Commonly confused: born or borne? born or bourn?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “born”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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