mother tongue

noun

1
: one's native language
2
: a language from which another language derives

Examples of mother tongue in a Sentence

although the anthropologist could speak the local language fairly well, she was always glad to find someone who shared her mother tongue
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Each actress nails the comedic timing – and the accented English that flows with the cadence of their mother tongues. Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025 The ones who needed to leave their mother tongue in order to find their true voice. Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025 While many nations have codified their mother tongue—France with French, Japan with Japanese, or Mexico with Spanish—America has always relied on practice and practicality rather than statute. Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 Japanese is the only language that leaves Li’s mouth, but her occasional inner monologues are in her mother tongue, the most crucial example expressing her growing conflict with the very act of writing itself. Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mother tongue

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mother tongue was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mother tongue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mother%20tongue. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

mother tongue

noun
1
: one's native language
2
: a language from which another language develops
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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