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native language

American

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

Often first language

noun

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

Many Diné children learn Navajo as a native language.

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.

“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

The government, he said, should have allowed Russian speakers to study in their native language.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

On the 11-track album, Amarante sings both in his native language Portuguese and in English.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2025

But I do wonder, as he does, what harm it is for our neighbors to worship God in their native language.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023