first language

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s a really fast-moving show, and if English is not your first language, like for my parents, then it’s quite hard to follow along.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

It especially fails the person whose first language is Spanish and who has never heard the term “Locally Preferred Alternative” in any language.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

Some were less comfortable with the possibility of false positives, since there are often autistic people, or users whose first language isn’t English, whose writing styles are stigmatized as A.I.-like.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Martin Van Buren, the first president to be born a U.S. citizen, spoke Dutch as his first language, as did Sojourner Truth.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

“We’re going to Chihuahua,” I lied in perfect Spanish, a task that was not difficult, since Spanish was our first language.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall