native speaker

[ney-tiv spee-ker]

noun

1. a person whose knowledge and use of a language is characterized by the fact that it is their first or native language, a language that a person acquires fully through extensive exposure in childhood: The first requirement is that you can hold a one-minute conversation with a native speaker of German.

   As native speakers, we are often not conscious of the conjugation rules we follow.

   The first requirement is that you can hold a one-minute conversation with a native speaker of German.

native speaker

noun

1. a person having a specified native language

   a native speaker of Cree

Word History and Origins

Origin of native speaker¹

First recorded in 1855–60; nonnative speaker ( def. )