Meaning & Definition of word "Nonnative"
to
Nonnative
/ˈnɒnˌneɪtɪv/
adjective:
- 1. Not originating or produced in a particular place; foreign.
- Example: The nonnative species have begun to overtake the local fauna.
- 2. Referring to someone who is not a native speaker of a language.
- Example: As a nonnative English speaker, she sometimes struggles with idiomatic expressions.
- 3. Describing an organism that is not indigenous to a particular area.
- Example: Nonnative plants can disrupt the local ecosystem if not managed properly.
Etymology
From the prefix non- meaning 'not' and native.
Common Phrases and Expressions
nonnative speaker:
A person who speaks a language that is not their mother tongue.
nonnative species:
A species that has been introduced to a region where it is not originally from.
Related Words
native:
A person or species that originates from a specific place.
indigenous:
Naturally existing in a place; native.
immigrant:
A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.