monoglot
Americanadjective
-
knowing only one language; monolingual.
monoglot travelers.
-
composed in only one language.
noun
adjective
-
having command of a single language
-
written in, composed of, or containing a single language
noun
Usage
What does monoglot mean? A monoglot is someone who can only speak or understand one language. Monoglot can also be used as an adjective to describe someone who can speak or understand only one language. It can also mean written in, spoken in, or involving only one language. A more common word for both of these adjective senses is monolingual, which is often used in contrast with terms like bilingual (able to speak two languages), trilingual (able to speak three languages), and multilingual (able to speak more than two and especially several languages). Example: One of my great regrets is being a monoglot and not learning another language when I was younger.
Etymology
Origin of monoglot
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 said there was "real fear among English monoglot teachers on possible pressures which may be placed on them or on threats to their livelihood and job retention".
From BBC • Oct. 2, 2024
Well, Spanish-language readers might know this book, but it’s never been translated into English, so no monoglot English readers will know it: “Imagen de John Keats,” by the Argentine writer Julio Cortázar.
From New York Times • Mar. 4, 2021
It’s there in the odd bits of language that filter through even if you’re an incurable monoglot like me.
From The New Yorker • Apr. 11, 2016
Theroux speculates that as the Mediterranean's cities have grown larger physically, they have become smaller-minded and monoglot.
From Time Magazine Archive
The number of monoglot Bretons is stated to have been 768,000 in 1878, 679,000 in 1885, and over 500,000 in 1898.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5 "Cat" to "Celt" by Various
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.
