Ask Difference

Aboriginal vs. Indigenous — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 27, 2023
Aboriginal specifically denotes Australia's original inhabitants, while Indigenous relates to original inhabitants of any region worldwide.
Aboriginal vs. Indigenous — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Aboriginal and Indigenous

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Key Differences

Aboriginal is a term often reserved for the first peoples of Australia, reflecting their unique cultural and historical identity.
Indigenous, on the other hand, is a broader term that applies to the original inhabitants of any region worldwide, encompassing diverse cultures and histories.
While Aboriginal is used in a specific context related to Australia, Indigenous is a more inclusive and global term.
Both terms represent people who have a long-standing connection to their lands, but Indigenous is used in more varied cultural and geographical contexts than Aboriginal.
Aboriginal and Indigenous both convey a deep historical presence in a region, yet Aboriginal is geographically limited compared to the universally applicable Indigenous.
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Comparison Chart

Geographical Scope

Australia
Global

Usage Specificity

Specific to Australian original peoples
Broad, for original peoples everywhere

Cultural Connotation

Unique to Australian context
Diverse, varies by region

Recognition

Recognized legal status in Australia
Varied legal recognition globally

Historical Association

Tied to Australia's history
Tied to respective regional histories

Compare with Definitions

Aboriginal

Original inhabitants of Australia.
The Aboriginal community shared their traditions.

Indigenous

Native to a particular region or environment.
Indigenous plants thrive in this climate.

Aboriginal

First peoples of the Australian continent.
Aboriginal languages are diverse.

Indigenous

People who are the original inhabitants of a region.
Indigenous languages are being revitalized.

Aboriginal

Relating to Australia’s original inhabitants.
The land holds significance in Aboriginal culture.

Indigenous

Characteristic of the original people of an area.
Indigenous knowledge is invaluable.

Aboriginal

Having existed in a region from the beginning
Aboriginal forests.

Indigenous

Originating naturally in a specific area.
The festival celebrated indigenous cultures.

Aboriginal

Of or relating to an indigenous people of a given region.

Indigenous

Inherently belonging to a particular place.
Indigenous traditions vary widely.

Aboriginal

Often Aboriginal Of or relating to the indigenous peoples of Australia.

Indigenous

Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native
The indigenous peoples of Siberia
Coriander is indigenous to southern Europe

Aboriginal

Also Aboriginal A member of an indigenous people of a given region.

Indigenous

Originating, growing, or produced in a certain place or region.

Aboriginal

First according to historical or scientific records; original; indigenous; primitive.

Indigenous

Being a member of the original inhabitants of a particular place.

Aboriginal

Living in a land before colonization by the Europeans.

Indigenous

Of, belonging to, or characteristic of such inhabitants.

Aboriginal

Alternative case form of Aboriginal

Indigenous

Born or originating in, native to a land or region, especially before an intrusion.

Aboriginal

An animal or plant native to a region.

Indigenous

In particular, of or relating to a people (or their language or culture) that inhabited a region prior to the arrival of people of other cultures which became dominant (e.g., through colonialism), and which maintains a distinct culture.
The Ainu are the indigenous ethnic group of Japan's Hokkaido Island.

Aboriginal

Alternative case form of Aboriginal

Indigenous

Innate, inborn.

Aboriginal

First; original; indigenous; primitive; native; as, the aboriginal tribes of America.

Indigenous

Native; produced, growing, or living, naturally in a country or climate; not exotic; not imported.
Negroes were all transported from Africa and are not indigenous or proper natives of America.
In America, cotton, being indigenous, is cheap.

Aboriginal

Of or pertaining to aborigines; as, a Hindu of aboriginal blood.

Indigenous

Native; inherent; innate.
Joy and hope are emotions indigenous to the human mind.

Aboriginal

An original inhabitant of any land; one of the aborigines.

Indigenous

Originating where it is found;
The autochthonal fauna of Australia includes the kangaroo
Autochthonous rocks and people and folktales
Endemic folkways
The Ainu are indigenous to the northernmost islands of Japan

Aboriginal

An animal or a plant native to the region.
It may well be doubted whether this frog is an aboriginal of these islands.

Aboriginal

A dark-skinned member of a race of people living in Australia when Europeans arrived

Aboriginal

Being or composed of people inhabiting a region from the beginning;
Native Americans
The aboriginal peoples of Australia

Aboriginal

Having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state;
Aboriginal forests
Primal eras before the appearance of life on earth
The forest primeval
Primordial matter
Primordial forms of life

Aboriginal

Native to Australia from ancient times.
Aboriginal art is rich in symbolism.

Aboriginal

Pertaining to the indigenous Australians.
Aboriginal rights have been a key issue.

Common Curiosities

Is 'Aboriginal' used outside of Australia?

Rarely, it's primarily used for Australian indigenous peoples.

Can 'Aboriginal' refer to indigenous peoples elsewhere?

Not commonly; it's closely associated with Australia.

Can 'Indigenous' be used for Australian natives?

Yes, but 'Aboriginal' is more specific in the Australian context.

Can both terms be used in environmental contexts?

Yes, regarding flora, fauna, and people native to an area.

Are both terms legally recognized?

Yes, but the recognition varies by country and context.

Are Aboriginal peoples a diverse group?

Yes, there is significant diversity among Aboriginal Australians.

Can 'Indigenous' be used in a global human rights context?

Yes, it's often used in discussions of global indigenous rights.

Is 'Indigenous' interchangeable with 'Native'?

Often, but 'Indigenous' is sometimes preferred for its global scope.

Do both terms have cultural significance?

Yes, they represent the heritage and identity of peoples.

Does 'Aboriginal' have a singular and plural form?

Yes, 'Aboriginal' and 'Aboriginals' (or 'Aborigines').

Are 'Aboriginal' and 'Indigenous' politically sensitive terms?

They can be, depending on the context and usage.

Does 'Indigenous' only refer to people?

No, it can also refer to plants, animals, and other native entities.

Do both terms imply a deep connection to land?

Yes, both convey a strong cultural and historical land connection.

Is 'Indigenous' used in academic research?

Yes, widely used in anthropology, history, and other fields.

Is 'Aboriginal' used in official Australian documents?

Yes, it's a recognized term in legal and government contexts.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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