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

There are proposals to double bilingual teachers, reaffirm sanctuary protections and create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students. —Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025

Language and Accessibility The series’ bilingual nature posed a challenge. —Jamie Lang, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025

Though she was killed before the completion of her first bilingual album, Dreaming of You, it was released posthumously on July 18, 1995. —Jacqueline Weiss, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025

Diverse families flock to Glendale schools as teachers foster bilingual skills in Armenian, Korean, or Spanish — starting in kindergarten. —Bruce Fuller, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for bilingual

• sublingual
• trilingual
• lingual
• monolingual

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