nonnative

[ non-ney-tiv ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a language that is not the first language acquired by a person:

   It is harder to communicate in your nonnative language.

2. of or relating to a person communicating in a nonnative language:

   a nonnative speaker of English.

3. Biology. of or relating to a plant or animal that is not indigenous to a region:

   The proliferation of nonnative plants is choking out the local flora.

4. Digital Technology. of or relating to software that was not originally designed for the platform on which it is running:

   nonnative user interfaces;

   nonnative apps.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonnative¹

First recorded in 1850–60; non- ( def ) + native ( def )

Example Sentences

Some studies have found that planting nonnative trees in Canada and China on a large scale, for example, has disturbed natural ecosystems, worsened wildfires and depleted groundwater levels.

From Time

According to the department, it’s illegal to transport and release fish or other species in public waters, whether they are native or nonnative.

From Washington Post

Like their nonnative neighbors, some members contracted the coronavirus and had to be hospitalized.

From Washington Post

For example, the scientist and writer Rachel Carson advocated importing nonnative species as an alternative to using pesticides.

From MIT Technology Review

Eventually, different plants come in, usually invasive, nonnative species, says Bradley Herrick, an ecologist and research program manager at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum.

From Science News

Related Words

• alien
• different
• external
• offshore
• overseas
• unfamiliar