non-native
adjective
non-na·tive
ˌnän-ˈnā-tiv 
variants
or nonnative
: not native: such as
a
of a plant or animal
: living or growing in a place that is not the location of its natural occurrence
a non-native fish species
… overgrazing causes grasslands to give way to sagebrush, mesquite and non-native exotic grasses, environmentalists contend.—
Doug McInnis
Doug McInnis
b
: not born or raised in the place where a particular language is spoken
non-native inhabitants
a nonnative speaker of English [=a person who speaks English but whose native language is not English]
non-native
noun
or nonnative
plural non-natives or nonnatives
popular among both natives and non-natives
Examples of non-native in a Sentence
nonnative customs that made the recent immigrants stand out in their new country
Recent Examples on the Web
To find other recipes, Vater recommends checking your plant brand’s website or the National Garden Bureau.
Mistake #7: Using non-native plants in your containers.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 June 2025
The brushy habitat surrounding the golf course includes non-native eucalyptus trees, which are known for being highly flammable.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Persimmon 6 grams of fiber per fruit There are two main types of persimmon cultivated in the US: the non-native Asian, or Japanese, persimmon, and the indigenous American, or common, persimmon.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 29 May 2025
Additionally, all gear—especially boots and outerwear—must undergo biosecurity checks to prevent the introduction of non-native species, seeds, or bacteria.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for non-native
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Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 June 2025
The brushy habitat surrounding the golf course includes non-native eucalyptus trees, which are known for being highly flammable.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Persimmon 6 grams of fiber per fruit There are two main types of persimmon cultivated in the US: the non-native Asian, or Japanese, persimmon, and the indigenous American, or common, persimmon.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 29 May 2025
Additionally, all gear—especially boots and outerwear—must undergo biosecurity checks to prevent the introduction of non-native species, seeds, or bacteria.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for non-native
Cite this Entry
“Non-native.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/non-native. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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