first language

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.

It’s a really fast-moving show, and if English is not your first language, like for my parents, then it’s quite hard to follow along.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Some were less comfortable with the possibility of false positives, since there are often autistic people, or users whose first language isn’t English, whose writing styles are stigmatized as A.I.-like.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

The viewer snaps back to reality and remembers that, like Foster, Lilian is American, and her first language is English.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2026

The couple were both first language Welsh speakers who worked in Welsh, spoke Welsh at home with their family and registered every significant life event including their wedding and the birth of their children bilingually.

From BBC • Oct. 16, 2025

It was her first language, and Natalie sometimes found herself falling back on it when she was frightened or confused.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz