Langimage
English

non-native

|non/na/tive|

B2

🇺🇸

/nɑnˈneɪtɪv/

🇬🇧

/nɒnˈneɪtɪv/

(native)

origin by birth

Base FormPluralNounNoun
nativenativesnativesnon-nativeness
Etymology
Etymology Information

'non-native' originates from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and the word 'native' from Latin 'nativus', meaning 'born, innate'.

Historical Evolution

'non-native' evolved from the combination of 'non-' and 'native', which was used in Middle English as 'natif'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'not born in a particular place', but over time it evolved to include 'not being a native speaker of a language'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adjective 1

not originating or produced in a particular place or environment.

The non-native plants were introduced to the region in the 19th century.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Adjective 2

referring to a person who is not a native speaker of a particular language.

She is a non-native speaker of English.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41