mother tongue
noun
the language first learned by a person; native language.
mother tongues
-
pluralof mother tongue.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In holding up a mirror to the healthcare system, showrunner R. Scott Gemmill also wanted to explore the linguistic diversity of its practitioners, allowing his actors of color to reconnect with their mother tongues.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026
Ganesh Narayan Devy has been obsessed with that question since, as a young scholar of literature, he came across a linguistic census from 1971 that listed 108 mother tongues spoken by Indians.
From New York Times ● Jun. 11, 2022
Lee Kuan Yew pointed out in his book how a multitude of mother tongues could have been a major hindrance to Singapore’s national security.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 14, 2019
Mother Tongue Film Festival Feature- and short-length documentaries and narrative films that celebrate the importance of the mother tongues of indigenous communities around the world are screened during this multi-venue event.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 21, 2017
And neither had she, the two of them hiding behind their mother tongues as if there was no way to bridge the gap.
From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby
