bilingual

[ bahy-ling-gwuhl or, Canadian, -ling-gyoo-uhl ]

/ baɪˈlɪŋ gwəl or, Canadian, -ˈlɪŋ gyu əl /

Save This Word!

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.

QUIZ

GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!

Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.

Question 1 of 9

Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of bilingual

1835–45; <Latin bilingu(is) (bi-bi-¹ + lingu-, stem of lingua tongue + -is adj. suffix) + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM bilingual

bi·lin·gual·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use bilingual in a sentence

Are you bi-coastal now, between Portlandia and Late Night with Seth Meyers?
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As a professed bi-sexual, Evans is misunderstood by those who find her choices offensive.
Risky Business or None of Your Business? Gay XXX Films and the Condom Question|Aurora Snow|November 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 2009 Grindr debuted, a dating (or, really, hook-up) app geared towards gay, bi-sexual, and bi-curious men.
Swipe Right For Sex: Mixxxer Is Tinder for the Porn Star Set|Aurora Snow|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Elsewhere, the bi-communal separation continues, with fierce nationalists seemingly intent on cementing this divide.
The Gaza War Has Left Jerusalem More Divided Than Ever|Peter Schwartzstein|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The typically somber atmosphere at the bi-annual church convocation was punctuated by hollers, applause and a shout of “brill!”
Church of England Gets Female Bishops and a Conservative Backlash|Nico Hines|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
During the first ten years the sessions were bi-annual, but since 1895 have been held every five years.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
For 45 minutes, not the least effort in any lingual direction was made; no one said a word for three-quarters of an hour.
Our Churches and Chapels|Atticus
It seems to me, Hinnissy, that this here thing called bi-ography is a kind iv an offset f'r histhry.
Mr. Dooley Says|Finley Dunne
Histhry lies on wan side, an' bi-ography comes along an' makes it rowl over an' lie on th' other side.
Mr. Dooley Says|Finley Dunne
Th' on'y bi-ography I care about is th' one Mulligan th' stone-cutter will chop out f'r me.
Mr. Dooley Says|Finley Dunne

British Dictionary definitions for bilingual

bilingual

/ (baɪˈlɪŋɡwəl) /

adjective

able to speak two languages, esp with fluency

written or expressed in two languages

noun

a bilingual person

Derived forms of bilingual

bilingualism, 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