second language

noun

a language learned by a person after his or her native language, especially as a resident of an area where it is in general use.

a language widely used, especially in educational and governmental functions in a region where all or most of its speakers are nonnative, as English in India or Nigeria.

QUIZZES

Can You Ace This Quiz About “Compliment” vs. “Complement”?

Take this quiz to see if you really know the difference between “compliment” and “complement"!

Question 1 of 11

“Compliment” and “complement” had a shared meaning a long time ago, but today they are no longer interchangeable.

True

False

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby second language

second hand, second heart sound, second home, second intention, second international, second language, second law of motion, second law of thermodynamics, second lien, second lieutenant, second man

British Dictionary definitions for second language

second language

noun

a language other than the mother tongue that a person or community uses for public communication, esp in trade, higher education, and administration

a non-native language officially recognized and adopted in a multilingual country as a means of public communication

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012