multilingual
Americanadjective
-
using or able to speak several or many languages with some facility.
-
spoken or written in several or many languages.
a multilingual broadcast.
-
dealing with or involving several or many languages.
a multilingual dictionary of business terms.
noun
adjective
-
able to speak more than two languages
-
written or expressed in more than two languages Compare bilingual monolingual
Usage
What does multilingual mean? Multilingual is most commonly used to describe someone who can speak or understand multiple languages, especially someone who can speak several languages with some level of fluency. It can also be used to describe things that involve or that are written or spoken in multiple languages, as in These instructions are multilingual—they’re written in seven different languages. Someone who speaks two languages is multilingual, but the term is most often used to describe someone who speaks more than three languages, since the term bilingual is commonly used to describe someone who speaks two languages and trilingual is used to describe someone who speaks three. The ability to speak multiple languages or the use of multiple languages is called multilingualism. Example: Being multilingual is a great advantage when applying for international jobs.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of multilingual
Explanation
Do you speak Spanish or French, in addition to English? Then you are multilingual, which is an impressive and practical thing to be. Multilingual people can speak and/or write more than one language, whether that's English and Japanese, Spanish and sign language, or French and Klingon. Except for the silly example of Klingon, being multilingual is extremely useful — it can help you get jobs and succeed in life, because you're able to communicate with more people. Becoming multilingual is a great goal for anyone. It helps you learn about the world and do more than a monolingual person can.
Vocabulary lists containing multilingual
Words to Describe Yourself on a Resume
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: multi-
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Multilingual scripts, images of young women and timed toilet breaks: a police tour of a newly busted cyberscam operation in Cambodia on Wednesday revealed how fraudsters ensnare foreign victims online.
From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026
The initiative began at the University of Tübingen and later continued at the University of Passau at the Chair of Multilingual Computational Linguistics.
From Science Daily • Feb. 25, 2026
Multilingual services, special education, transportation and substitute staffing services are also chronically underfunded, officials added.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2024
Multilingual, she speaks English with a soft cadence.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2020
She directs the Multilingual Mainers program for early elementary students and educators.
From Washington Post
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
