bilingual

adjective

bi·​lin·​gual (ˌ)bī-ˈliŋ-gwəl 

 also  -gyə-wəl

1

: having or expressed in two languages

a bilingual document

an officially bilingual nation

2

: using or able to use two languages especially with equal fluency

bilingual in English and Japanese

3

: of or relating to bilingual education

bilingual noun

bilingually adverb

Examples of bilingual in a Sentence

Several of the employees are bilingual.

He is bilingual in English and Japanese.

She grew up in a bilingual community.

The town has an excellent bilingual education program.

Recent Examples on the Web

This might involve offering translation tools or encouraging bilingual environments. —Iese Business School, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Arturo Conde Arturo Conde is an editor and a bilingual freelance journalist. —Arturo Conde, NBC News, 21 Oct. 2024

Baker tours the ramshackle, bilingual American dream of ethnic rivalries between Russians and Armenians and belligerent working-class youths addicted to sneakers and video games. —Armond White, National Review, 18 Oct. 2024

Alexa Robles-Gil | | READ MORE Alexa Robles-Gil is a bilingual science journalist based in New York City. —Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin bilinguis, from bi- + lingua tongue — more at tongue

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bilingual

• bilingual education

Kids Definition

bilingual

adjective

bi·​lin·​gual (ˌ)bī-ˈliŋ-g(yə-)wəl 

1

: of, expressed in, or using two languages

a bilingual dictionary

2

: able to use two languages especially with fluency