biliterate

adjective

bi·​lit·​er·​ate

(ˌ)bī-ˈli-t(ə-)rət

: able to read and write two different languages

When they leave Lennox Elementary School District eight years later, more than 90% are bilingual, biliterate and, as Moffett puts it, "ready to succeed in the mainstream world of English only."

—Pat Ordovensky, USA Today, 16 Feb. 1994

biliteracy

(ˌ)bī-ˈli-t(ə-)rə-sē

noun

A novel biliteracy program at the Sweetwater Union High School District is becoming more popular and is attracting the attention of a statewide education group that would like to see the effort expand elsewhere in California.

—Ashly McGlone, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2011

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!