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

Parents can answer questions about their child — such as in the National Survey of Children’s Health — but can be biased or misinterpret questions, especially if English isn’t their first language.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 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

No, he told the judge, English wasn’t his first language; that would be Nahuatl, the Mexican Indian tongue.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover