bilingual
Americanadjective
-
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
adjective
-
able to speak two languages, esp with fluency
-
written or expressed in two languages
noun
Usage
What does bilingual mean? Bilingual is most commonly used to describe someone who can speak or understand two languages, especially with some level of fluency.It can also be used to describe things that involve or that are written or spoken in two languages, as in These instructions are bilingual—they’re written in English and Spanish.The similar terms trilingual and multilingual are used in the same way, with trilingual indicating three languages and multilingual indicating more than two and especially several languages.The ability to speak two languages or the use of two languages is called bilingualism.Example: Being bilingual is a great advantage for many job seekers.
Other Word Forms
- bilingualism noun
- bilingually adverb
Etymology
Origin of bilingual
1835–45; < Latin bilingu ( is ) ( bi- bi- 1 + lingu-, stem of lingua tongue + -is adj. suffix) + -al 1
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.
It makes sense that Canadians should have access to government services in both, and service from Air Canada should be bilingual.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
Being bilingual can make you more tolerant and compassionate and broaden your perspective.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
Air Canada was privatised in 1988, but the government passed a law requiring it to maintain its bilingual obligations, said François Larocque, research chair in language rights at the University of Ottawa.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
But she arrives as a decorated musician who has woven Latin American, blues and soul traditions into nine bilingual albums — including her 2024 Grammy Award-winning acoustic album “X Mí.”
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026
Supporters of bilingual education thus want it both ways.
From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez
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.
