native language

American  

[ney-tiv lang-gwij] / ˈneɪ tɪv ˈlæŋ gwɪdʒ /

Often first language

noun

1. a language that a person acquires fully through extensive exposure in childhood.

   Many Diné children learn Navajo as a native language.

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Etymology

Origin of native language

First recorded in 1425–75 as natife langage

Example Sentences

The tiny nation's native language is "Dorerin Naoero", which is spoken by the vast majority of its approximately 10,000 inhabitants.

From Barron's • May 13, 2026

“You hear RM say in the songwriting session, ‘This is not my native language.’

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Previously students could study most of the curriculum in their native language such as Tibetan, Uyghur or Mongolian.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 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

Thus, the music and all of its elements that children are exposed to become as familiar as their native language.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin