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.

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

Similarly, 76% of pupils in Aberdeen had English as their first language, and out of those who spoke English as a second language, 43% were competent or fluent.

From BBC • Dec. 4, 2025

Even today, "for people who have German as a first language, it's fairly easy to understand," said 66-year-old retiree and festival attendee Sabine Lioy.

From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025

She taught me English as my first language.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah