mother tongue

Definition of mother tonguenext
as in language
the stock of words, pronunciation, and grammar used by a people as their basic means of communication although the anthropologist could speak the local language fairly well, she was always glad to find someone who shared her mother tongue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of mother tongue 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mother tongue
Noun
  • Across collectors, cultural institutions and design circles, perfume bottles are increasingly being recognized not as packaging, but as artifacts — objects that preserve history, identity and the visual language of their time.
    Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The milquetoast nature of the statement — with its measured language and nonexistent call to action — and the broader absence of real accountability have nagged at me for weeks.
    Uzma Rentia, STAT, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Although research suggests that elementary teachers should focus on helping students learn the sounds of speech, phonics, reading fluency, vocabulary and reading comprehension strategies, there is little evidence on how well these skills are packaged into the textbooks used in classrooms.
    Shawn Datchuk, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The team's next steps are testing with more users across more sessions, expanding the vocabulary, and improving compensation for body movement.
    Omar Kardoudi April 23, New Atlas, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Houseflies find sugar with their feet, which are 10 million times more sensitive than human tongues.
    Julie Sharp, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The trick is to sit back, enjoy the views, and allow the chefs to do their magic with every cut—from tenderloin to tongue, cheek, tail, and all.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • India’s community radio environment has seen slow growth but has been important in preserving local dialects and minority music and folklore traditions while also advocating for women’s and children’s rights.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Much of this influence played a role in what would become the dialect of the South more generally as Scots Irish settlers and their descendants spread into the backcountry of the Upper and, a bit later, the Lowland South.
    Valerie Fridland, Big Think, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Buildings—a contemporary, fluid interpretation of the Cretan idiom by Pieris.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Like the idiom, their coffee shop hopes to bring surprising offerings to the coffee scene.
    Jenna Thompson April 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mother tongue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mother%20tongue. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster