congenitally
congenitally Lexical Profile
congenitally Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
In a manner that exists or is present from birth, especially regarding a physical condition, trait, or medical disorder.
"The patient was congenitally deaf and communicated fluently using sign language from early childhood."
By one's very nature or temperament; inveterately or ingrainedly (often used hyperbolically of a habit or personality trait).
"He is congenitally incapable of arriving at any social gathering on time."
Word Nuance & Usage
In strict medical usage, 'congenitally' refers to a condition present at birth regardless of whether it is genetic or caused by prenatal environment, whereas 'hereditarily' or 'genetically' specifically indicates transmission through genes from parents.
• Rhymes for congenitally
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed from the adjective 'congenital' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'; 'congenital' derives from Latin 'congenitus' ('born with'), from 'com-' ('together, with') and 'genitus', the past participle of 'gignere' ('to beget, bear').