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

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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
  • Honesty isn’t in her vocabulary.
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
  • By the end of the learning unit, Burton said growth in the children could be seen as their vocabularies expanded to using words such as thermometer, blood pressure and punctured.
    Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Princess Charlotte got cheeky at her parents' charity sailing race in August 2019, sticking her tongue out at her grandfather Michael Middleton (and the entire crowd in the process)!
    Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
  • Told in a myriad of voices and tongues, El Sayed’s gripping debut questions who deserves a new start, whether onboard or on land.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Fisher’s Amish roots and ability to speak Pennsylvania Dutch, the Old Order Amish dialect, has helped build rapport with likeminded musicians.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 May 2026
  • Even minor differences in curriculum or language and dialect can pose significant challenges and reduce the shareability of these programs.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 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

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Cite this Entry

“Mother tongue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mother%20tongue. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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