nonnative
Americanadjective
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of or relating to a language that is not the first language acquired by a person.
It is harder to communicate in your nonnative language.
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of or relating to a person communicating in a nonnative language.
a nonnative speaker of English.
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Biology. of or relating to a plant or animal that is not indigenous to a region.
The proliferation of nonnative plants is choking out the local flora.
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Digital Technology. of or relating to software that was not originally designed for the platform on which it is running.
nonnative user interfaces;
nonnative apps.
Etymology
Origin of nonnative
First recorded in 1850–60; non- ( def. ) + native ( def. )
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.
He was more familiar with nonnative L.A. classics like bougainvillea and palm trees.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026
It also introduces an English language revitalized by a nonnative speaker.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026
Lee’s priorities include expanding civic engagement and language accessibility, with an aim to demystify legal proceedings for students and nonnative English speakers.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026
In New Zealand, nonnative mammals are thought to kill 68,000 native birds each night.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026
There was one class for nonnative speakers, and all the rest of the periods were for fluent speakers.
From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez
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.
