polyglot

[ pol-ee-glot ]

/ ˈpɒl iˌglɒt /

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See synonyms for polyglot on Thesaurus.com

adjective

able to speak or write several languages; multilingual.

containing, composed of, or written in several languages: a polyglot Bible.

noun

a mixture or confusion of languages.

a person who speaks, writes, or reads a number of languages.

a book, especially a Bible, containing the same text in several languages.

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Origin of polyglot

First recorded in 1635–45; from Medieval Latin polyglōttus, from Greek polýglōttos “many-tongued”; see poly-, -glot

OTHER WORDS FROM polyglot

pol·y·glot·ism, noun

Words nearby polyglot

polygenesis, polygenetic, polygenic, polygenic inheritance, polygenism, polyglot, Polygnotus, polygon, polygonaceous, polygonum, polygraph

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use polyglot in a sentence

Los Angeles was wonderfully exotic; a polyglot mix of Aztec, Incan, Mayan and New World scents and sounds.
The Liberal Case Against Illegal Immigration|Doug McIntyre|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As the elite polyglot sex workers entertained the foreign sailors they whispered sweet Soviet propaganda into their ears.
Soviet-Style Sexual Politics Returns|Will Cathcart|May 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And in recent decades, the Valley has become ethnically polyglot and more complex.
Two Jews, One Congressional Seat: Howard Berman vs. Brad Sherman|Andrew Murr|June 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
One morning, he discovered the campus of a theological seminary that he now covets for a polyglot academy he dreams of starting.
Adventures with an Extreme Polyglot: Excerpt from 'Babel No More'|Michael Erard|January 10, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The frightened maid ceased to scold in her polyglot way and grew coherent.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
A sweet polyglot, but hurrying; it has the notes of many birds.
The Natural History of Selborne, Vol. 1|Gilbert White
He calls this a humble tribute to the geniality of the English summer, and thinks that he may be termed a polyglot ablutionist.
Three in Norway|James Arthur Lees
At this time the cars, always polyglot, are filled with shop-hands and workers, and no English at all is heard.
Letters from America|Rupert Brooke
On nearing The Bow the confusion ceased; the polyglot sounds were distinguishable only as a murmur.
Flamsted quarries|Mary E. Waller

British Dictionary definitions for polyglot

polyglot

/ (ˈpɒlɪˌɡlɒt) /

adjective

having a command of many languages

written in, composed of, or containing many languages

noun

a person with a command of many languages

a book, esp a Bible, containing several versions of the same text written in various languages

a mixture or confusion of languages

Derived forms of polyglot

polyglotism or polyglottism, noun

Word Origin for polyglot

C17: from Greek poluglōttos literally: many-tongued, from poly- + glōtta tongue

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

polyglot

Origin of polyglot

OTHER WORDS FROM polyglot

Words nearby polyglot

Words related to polyglot

How to use polyglot in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for polyglot

Derived forms of polyglot

Word Origin for polyglot