What does "nonnative" mean?
Alternative form of non-native.
Nonnative
adj, noun
adj, noun ·3 syllables ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Alternative form of non-native.
- Grammar: nonnative is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: foreign-born, acquired language, adventitious, alien.
- Useful contrasts: azores-born, china-born, dutch group work.
- Usage evidence: Nonnative species have invaded Australia and threaten to overrun indigenous plants and animals.
How to use "nonnative"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "nonnative" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "nonnative" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "nonnative" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "nonnative" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "nonnative" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "foreign-born" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "nonnative", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Alternative form of non-native. alt-of, alternative
"If you're a Chicagoan, you will find something in each that you didn't know about; nonnatives will find something in each they'll wish they'd read before making their last trip."
Adjective
- 1 Alternative form of non-native. alt-of, alternative, not-comparable
"In addition to new diseases, Quammen touches on many of the examples often included in standard disease ecology or epidemiology courses—for example, myxomatosis in nonnative rabbits of Australia, and mutation rates in RNA versus DNA viruses."
Adjective
- 1 of plants or animals originating in a part of the world other than where they are growing wordnet
- 2 of persons born in another area or country than that lived in wordnet
- 3 not being or composed of aborigines wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Nonnative species have invaded Australia and threaten to overrun indigenous plants and animals."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "nonnative"?
Common synonyms include: foreign-born, acquired language, adventitious, alien, alien beings, alien land.
How do you use "nonnative" in a sentence?
Nonnative species have invaded Australia and threaten to overrun indigenous plants and animals.