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

In 1990, the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association launched a petition calling on the NYPD to assign a bilingual police officer to the neighborhood. —Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 22 May 2026

The bilingual campaign was distributed through media outlets and social media platforms across North America. —Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2026

Exceptions and adjustments would also be made for students with disabilities and students who are bilingual or multilingual learners who may need help with translation services. —Edsource, Daily News, 20 May 2026

As founder and president of Edge Communications, Ulvert built political infrastructure, coalition outreach and bilingual voter engagement across Florida’s diverse communities. —Michael Van Sickler, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026

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