non-native
adjective
non-na·tive
ˌnän-ˈnā-tiv 
variants
or nonnative
: not native: such as
a
of a plant or animal
: living or growing in a place that is not the location of its natural occurrence
a non-native fish species
… overgrazing causes grasslands to give way to sagebrush, mesquite and non-native exotic grasses, environmentalists contend.—
Doug McInnis
Doug McInnis
b
: not born or raised in the place where a particular language is spoken
non-native inhabitants
a nonnative speaker of English [=a person who speaks English but whose native language is not English]
non-native
noun
or nonnative
plural non-natives or nonnatives
popular among both natives and non-natives
Examples of non-native in a Sentence
nonnative customs that made the recent immigrants stand out in their new country
Recent Examples on the Web
Aquatic invasive species are non-native plants or animals which, when introduced into aquatic environments and left unchecked, can cause significant harm to native wildlife species, water quality and recreational opportunities for boaters and anglers, according to DEEP.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
To be sure, several squads competing in the WBC feature non-native players who have heritage of the national team, including Austin Wells for the Dominican Republic and large portions of Team Great Britain and Team Israel, both eliminated in the group stage.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Because red foxes already live in North America, this fox’s arrival is not the introduction of an alien species in the way an entirely non-native organism would be.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Other signs discussed non-native plant species and the negative effects of feral horses, information about disease, enslavement, war, and colonization, and how government regulations protect delicate ecosystems.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for non-native
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Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2026
To be sure, several squads competing in the WBC feature non-native players who have heritage of the national team, including Austin Wells for the Dominican Republic and large portions of Team Great Britain and Team Israel, both eliminated in the group stage.
—Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Because red foxes already live in North America, this fox’s arrival is not the introduction of an alien species in the way an entirely non-native organism would be.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Other signs discussed non-native plant species and the negative effects of feral horses, information about disease, enslavement, war, and colonization, and how government regulations protect delicate ecosystems.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for non-native
Cite this Entry
“Non-native.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/non-native. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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