non-French-speaking
|non-french-speak-ing|
🇺🇸
/nɑn ˈfrɛntʃ ˈspiːkɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/nɒn ˈfrɛntʃ ˈspiːkɪŋ/
not speaking French
Etymology
'non-French-speaking' originates from multiple elements: the prefix 'non' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not'), 'French' (from Old French/Old English referring to the Franks and their language), and the verb 'speak' (from Old English 'specan'/'sprecan' meaning 'to speak').
'non-French-speaking' is a modern English compound formed by the negative prefix 'non-' + the adjective 'French' + the present participle 'speaking'; these parts derive respectively from Latin 'non', Old French/Old English forms of 'French', and Old English 'specan', and together they produced the contemporary compound phrase in Modern English.
Initially the component parts simply meant 'not' + 'French' + 'speaking'; assembled as a compound, the phrase has long meant 'not speaking French' and has retained that basic meaning into modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who does not speak French (used as a noun or noun phrase when combined with words like 'people' or 'visitors').
Many non-French-speaking people attended the meeting.
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Antonyms
Adjective 1
not speaking French; not able to communicate in French.
Many non-French-speaking visitors needed translation services.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/31 15:10