bilingual

adjective

bi·​lin·​gual (ˌ)bī-ˈliŋ-gwəl 

 also  -gyə-wəl

1

: having or expressed in two languages

a bilingual document

an officially bilingual nation

2

: using or able to use two languages especially with equal fluency

bilingual in English and Japanese

3

: of or relating to bilingual education

bilingual noun

bilingually adverb

Examples of bilingual in a Sentence

Several of the employees are bilingual.

He is bilingual in English and Japanese.

She grew up in a bilingual community.

The town has an excellent bilingual education program.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mendoza is lauded by just about everyone around the Mets and Yankees for his strong communication abilities in both languages, with his bilingual abilities playing right into that. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 10 June 2025

Does having two writing languages give a bilingual author more freedom? —Tatiana De Rosnay june 9, Literary Hub, 9 June 2025

Barraza, who lives in a bilingual household herself, has been part of outreach efforts by the Red Oak PTO. —Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025

As a proud bilingual journalist, Valdes put her skills forward to produce and report an in-depth piece on Hurricane Maria's impact to Puerto Rico. —Nicole Valdes, CBS News, 31 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin bilinguis, from bi- + lingua tongue — more at tongue

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bilingual

• bilingual education

Rhymes for bilingual

• sublingual
• trilingual
• lingual
• monolingual

Kids Definition

bilingual

adjective

bi·​lin·​gual (ˌ)bī-ˈliŋ-g(yə-)wəl 

1

: of, expressed in, or using two languages

a bilingual dictionary

2

: able to use two languages especially with fluency