native tongue

noun

Synonym of native language.

Similar
native language
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Meanings

nounnative tongue (plural native tongues)

plural native tongues

  1. Synonym of native language.

    The Arabs came out of their goatskin tents, and surrounded the soldiers, asking many questions in the native tongue, for the soldiers were themselves natives.

    1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York: Ballantine Books, published 1963, page 77

    Synonyms: native language

Synonyms & antonyms

nounSynonym of native language.

Similar
native language
Also see
mother tonguenative language

Origin

From native + tongue.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

native tongue. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/native%20tongue

MLA

“native tongue.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/native%20tongue. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “native tongue,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/native%20tongue.

Source: native tongue on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.