multilingual
adjective
mul·ti·lin·gual
ˌməl-tē-ˈliŋ-gwəl 
-ˈliŋ-gyə-wəl,
-ˌtī-
1
: of, having, or expressed in several languages
a multilingual sign
multilingual dictionaries
2
: using or able to use several languages especially with equal fluency
multilingual translators
Did you know?
The roots of multilingual come from Latin. If you happen to prefer Greek, use the synonym polyglot, in which poly- has the same meaning as multi-, and -glot means the same thing as -lingual. The best way to become multilingual is probably to be born in a bilingual (two-language) household; learning those first two seems to give the mind the kind of exercise that makes later language-learning easy.
Examples of multilingual in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to her bio on the district’s website, Berkel is the daughter of multilingual Dutch Caribbean immigrants, and began her career in bilingual teaching as a Montessori Elementary teacher.
—
Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
That's great news: Studies show that being multilingual encourages flexible thinking, enhances memory, and boosts a child's concentration.4
Traditionally, experts have suggested holding off until age 3 to introduce a second language.
—Leslie Garisto Pfaff, Parents, 15 May 2025
The multilingual service began as Leo processed in and sang in Latin along with the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel Choir, one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 May 2025
But the pope’s multicultural and multilingual identity has put them at ease.
—Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for multilingual
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Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025
That's great news: Studies show that being multilingual encourages flexible thinking, enhances memory, and boosts a child's concentration.4
Traditionally, experts have suggested holding off until age 3 to introduce a second language.
—Leslie Garisto Pfaff, Parents, 15 May 2025
The multilingual service began as Leo processed in and sang in Latin along with the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel Choir, one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 May 2025
But the pope’s multicultural and multilingual identity has put them at ease.
—Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for multilingual
Cite this Entry
“Multilingual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multilingual. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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