mother tongue

[muhth-er tuhng, muhth-er tuhng]

noun

1. the language first learned by a person; native language.

2. mother language.

mother tongue

noun

1. the language first learned by a child

2. a language from which another has evolved

Word History and Origins

Origin of mother tongue¹

1350–1400; Middle English moder tonge

Related Words

• first language