Endemic: meaning, definitions and examples

🌍

Add to dictionary

endemic

[ɛnˈdɛmɪk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

biology

Native or restricted to a certain country or area. Endemic species are unique to a specific location and are not found anywhere else in the world.

Synonyms

indigenous, local, native.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
endemic	This word is used to describe something, usually a disease or a condition, that is regularly found among particular people or in a certain area. It can also refer to plants and animals regularly found in a specific place. Malaria is endemic in many tropical and subtropical regions The kangaroo is endemic to Australia
indigenous	Indigenous refers to people, plants, or animals that are native to a particular place, especially those that have not been brought from elsewhere. It has a strong cultural and historical connotation. The Indigenous peoples of the Americas have diverse cultures Cacti are indigenous to desert regions in North and South America
native	Native pertains to someone or something that originates from, or belongs to, a particular place rather than coming from somewhere else. It can have both cultural and geographical nuances. The oak tree is native to this area She is a native speaker of Spanish
local	Local is used to describe someone or something that belongs to or is connected with the particular area you are talking about. He bought vegetables from the local market The local bakery makes delicious bread

Examples of usage

The Galapagos Islands are home to many endemic species.
The koala is an endemic animal of Australia.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

medicine

An endemic disease or condition is regularly found among particular people or in a certain area. It is constantly present and not necessarily harmful.

Synonyms

common, prevalent, widespread.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
endemic	Used when referring to something (typically diseases or species) that is regularly found and confined to a particular geographic area or environment. Malaria is endemic in some tropical regions. The plant is endemic to the island of Madagascar.
prevalent	Best suited for discussing a situation, condition, or trend that is widespread or frequently occurring in a particular area or among a group of people. Smoking used to be prevalent in public places. Misconceptions about the disease were prevalent in the community.
common	Appropriate when describing something that is frequently encountered, known, or not rare. Can be used for both positive and negative scenarios. Smartphones are common among teenagers these days. It's common to see traffic jams during rush hour.
widespread	Helpful when talking about something that is distributed over a large area or affects a large number of individuals. Often implies a significant impact or scope. The use of plastic is widespread in today's society. The news of the event became widespread quickly.

Examples of usage

Malaria is an endemic disease in some tropical regions.
The flu is considered an endemic illness in many countries.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'endemic' comes from the Greek word 'endemos', meaning 'native' or 'in one place'.
It was first used in a scientific context in the 19th century to describe species unique to particular regions.

Biodiversity

Endemic species are crucial to their ecosystems because they often play specialized roles.
Islands, like Madagascar and Hawaii, are famous for their high number of endemic species due to isolation.

Conservation

Many endemic species are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and invasive species.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting endemic species to maintain biodiversity and ecological health.

Geography

Regions with diverse climates and ecosystems, such as the Amazon rainforest, tend to have a higher number of endemic species.
Endemic plants and animals can help scientists understand environmental changes over time.

Human Impact

Human activities like urbanization can disrupt habitats where endemic species thrive, leading to a decline in their populations.
Sustainable practices are encouraged to protect areas where endemic species are found against exploitation.

Translations

Translations of the word "endemic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 endêmico

🇮🇳 स्थानिक

🇩🇪 endemisch

🇮🇩 endemik

🇺🇦 ендемічний

🇵🇱 endemiczny

🇯🇵 固有

🇫🇷 endémique

🇪🇸 endémico

🇹🇷 endemik

🇰🇷 고유의

🇸🇦 مستوطن

🇨🇿 endemický

🇸🇰 endemitický

🇨🇳 地方性的

🇸🇮 endemičen

🇮🇸 landlægur

🇰🇿 эндемик

🇬🇪 ენდემური

🇦🇿 endemik

🇲🇽 endémico

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,846, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
10843 accomplishing
10844 gypsum
10845 tilt
10846 endemic
10847 sinful
10848 courageous
10849 grossly
...