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definitions

bilingual

[ bahy-ling-gwuh l or, Canadian, -ling-gyoo-uh l ]
/ baɪˈlɪŋ gwəl or, Canadian, -ˈlɪŋ gyu əl /
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adjective

able to speak two languages with the facility of a native speaker.
spoken, written, or containing similar information in two different languages: a bilingual dictionary; Public notices at the embassy are bilingual.
of, involving, or using two languages: a bilingual community; bilingual schools.

noun

a bilingual person.

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Nearby words

biligenesis, bilinear, bilinear form, bilinear transformation, bilineate, bilingual, bilingual education, bilingualism, bilious, biliously, bilirachia

Origin of bilingual

1835–45; < Latin bilingu(is) (bi- bi-1 + lingu-, stem of lingua tongue + -is adj. suffix) + -al1
Related formsbi·lin·gual·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bi-lingual

British Dictionary definitions for bi-lingual

bilingual

/ (baɪˈlɪŋɡwəl) /

adjective

able to speak two languages, esp with fluency
written or expressed in two languages

noun

a bilingual person
Derived Formsbilingualism, nounbilingually, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for bi-lingual

bilingual

adj.

1818, from bi- + lingual. Latin bilinguis meant literally "two-tongued," and, figuratively, "speaking a jumble of languages," also "double-tongued, hypocritical, false."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper