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

Unfortunately, there are not enough bilingual teachers out there to accommodate the children whose family primarily speaks Spanish, Chinese, Indian or any other language that is spoken in California. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 24 June 2024

Elizabeth Haynesworth, the school’s bilingual social worker, helped coordinate a donation drive for boots and jackets when temperatures plunged in the winter. —Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 23 June 2024

Four performances of the big-hearted, bilingual play remain, complete with live mariachi music. —Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024

De Colores, a bilingual support program for all families who are survivors of domestic violence, has been operating in Phoenix since 1986. —Paula Soria, The Arizona Republic, 12 May 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