NonNative

Non-native is an adjective used to describe something that is not native to a particular place, environment, or system. The term is usually written non-native (with a hyphen) in standard English, though variants such as nonNative or nonnative may appear in technical writing, branding, or programming identifiers. The opposite term is native.

In ecology and biology, non-native (or introduced) species are organisms established outside their historical range, typically through human activity such as trade or travel. Non-native species can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful; invasive species are a subset that spreads rapidly and disrupts ecosystems, agriculture, or economies. Distinctions between native, non-native, and invasive are commonly made in conservation and policy discussions.

In linguistics, a non-native language or non-native speaker refers to language learned after the first language (L1). Non-native proficiency varies widely, from basic to fluent, and the term is generally descriptive rather than evaluative. Related terms include second language (L2) and foreign language, depending on context. In other domains, non-native may describe content, products, or design not originally created for a local audience or platform. When applied to people, the term can carry sensitivities around identity and origins, so respectful and precise usage is recommended. See also introduced species and immigrant in related discussions of origin and movement.