born
/bɔːn
/adjective
1Existing as a result of birth: she was born in Aberdeen I was born with a sense of curiosity a newly born baby...
- Cases of babies born with low birth weights are five per cent higher near landfill sites.
- We know the story about the baby who was born to migrant parents in an occupied country.
- She was born with a rare birth defect that left her with a huge growth on her neck and has spent most of her early life in hospital.
1.1 [in combination] Having a specific nationality: a German-born philosopher
1.2 [attributive] Having a natural ability to do a particular job: he’s a born engineer...
- He thrived in the training and displayed the natural attributes of a born soldier.
- Are you a born investment banker?
- Are you a born athlete?
1.3 [predicative, with infinitive] Perfectly suited or trained to do a particular job: men born to rule...
- Balcon felt he was born to be a soldier.
- He was born to be an actor, and when he conscientiously set himself to a task he could blend his genius with a thoroughly sound and intelligent craftsmanship.
- He was born to serve and served his primary constituency diligently.
1.4(Of an organization, movement, or idea) brought into existence: on 1 January 1992, the new company was born...
- The idea was born from the damage done to the local tourist industry in the wake of the foot and mouth disease outbreak.
- The idea was born when Prince William enjoyed a pint of cider in the hotel's Road Hole Bar last summer.
- In large measure this had to do with the circumstances in which the Association movement was born.
1.5 (born of) Existing as a result of (a particular situation or feeling): his work is born of despair...
- You and your friends will share extraordinary bonds, born of surviving desperate situations.
- Some might say this is a complete waste of time, but it is born of hope, not despair, and I will keep trying.
- His more recent vehicle, the Hunter Foundation, is a creature born of his obsession with Carnegie.
Usage
On the difference between born and borne, see bear1 (usage).
Phrases
born and bred
born on the wrong side of the blanket
be born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
in all one's born days
not know one is born
there's one (or a sucker) born every minute
I (or he, she, etc.) wasn't born yesterday
Origin
Old English boren, past participle of beran 'to bear' (see bear1).