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

There are also vacancies for bilingual support teachers, speech language pathologists, school psychologists, dyslexia specialists, inclusion teachers and bilingual support specialists. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Aug. 2026

The complex intricacies of language manifested on Eimbcke’s first bilingual set. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026

The community will also include a bilingual K-12 private school, a 24-hour medical and wellness center, an organic farm, a private airfield, beach clubs, a racquet and field club, an equestrian center, and two championship golf courses. — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Organized by the festival and the Basque Film Archive, in collaboration with the Spanish Film Archive, the retrospective will be accompanied by a bilingual study written by Felipe Cabrerizo and edited by Quim Casas. — Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 4 Aug. 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