native language
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of native language
First recorded in 1425–75 as natife langage
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 his native language, Vozinha translates to “granny,” and he explained to FIFA.com in 2024 how he became known by that name.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 26, 2026
Players have been accused of downing tools, while Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez have appeared openly critical of the project in interviews in their native language.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
“You hear RM say in the songwriting session, ‘This is not my native language.’
From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026
Because we use our native language daily over decades, these patterns become deeply embedded, making communication smoother and less demanding.
From Science Daily • Feb. 20, 2026
“When the sisters ran an orphanage here, some children would sing themselves to sleep, often in their native language, as many were immigrant children.”
From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
