bilingual

bi·lin·gual

adjective \(ˌ)bī-ˈliŋ-gwəl also -gyə-wəl\

: able to speak and understand two languages

: using or expressed in two languages

Full Definition of BILINGUAL

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

— bi·lin·gual·ly adverb

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Examples of BILINGUAL

1. Several of the employees are bilingual.
2. He is bilingual in English and Japanese.
3. She grew up in a bilingual community.
4. The town has an excellent bilingual education program.

Origin of BILINGUAL

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

First Known Use: 1829

Other Language Terms

cognate, collocation, homonym