monolingual

American  

[mon-uh-ling-gwuhl, -ling-gyoo-uhl] / ˌmɒn əˈlɪŋ gwəl, -ˈlɪŋ gyu əl /

adjective

1. knowing or able to use only one language; monoglot.

2. spoken or written in only one language.

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noun

1. a monolingual person.

monolingual British  

/ ˌmɒnəʊˈlɪŋɡwəl /

adjective

1. knowing or expressed in only one language

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noun

1. a monolingual person

Usage

What does monolingual mean? Monolingual is used to describe someone who can speak or understand only one language.It can also mean written in, spoken in, or involving only one language.Monolingual 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).The ability to speak or understand only one language or the regular use of only one language is called monolingualism.Example: One of my great regrets is being monolingual and not learning another language when I was younger.

Other Word Forms

• monolingualism noun

Etymology

Origin of monolingual

First recorded in 1950–55; mono- + lingual

Example Sentences

When the monolingual video condolence was released, Mr. Carney said he was “very disappointed” and accused Mr. Rousseau of lacking judgment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

While many nations had previously defined themselves by a shared language, Americans came to see English not just as the national language, but monolingual English as part of their identity.

From Salon • Feb. 12, 2026

Replacing this with automated mimicry suggests a disturbing turn toward commodified and monolingual film culture, she says.

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2025

“In the United States, we’ve been so monolingual, and we’re missing that brain development piece that is so enhancing for our students,” Ortiz-Self said.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 6, 2024

And Yo was running, like the mad, into the safety of her first tongue, where the proudly monolingual John could not catch her, even if he tried.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez