What is the closest meaning of "innate" in the context of ability?

The term "innate" refers to qualities or abilities that are natural and built-in, as opposed to those that are learned or acquired through experience. In the context of ability, "innate" suggests that the ability exists from birth or is a fundamental part of an individual's nature.

The choice that aligns most closely with this meaning is "inherent," which captures the idea of something that is a permanent, essential characteristic of a person. This term emphasizes the natural aspect of an ability, indicating that it is an intrinsic trait rather than something developed through practice or training.

Other options like "intense," "slick," and "prepared" do not carry the same connotation of being naturally existing qualities. "Intense" describes a level or degree of something, "slick" generally refers to something smooth or clever but does not relate to natural ability, and "prepared" suggests readiness, which implies that effort or training was involved. Therefore, "inherent" is the most appropriate synonym for "innate" in this context.