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

The schools are bilingual, meaning that instruction is in Spanish but also in Mixtec and other languages. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026

Miercoles develops, finances, produces and distributes premium Hispanic content across Spanish, English, and bilingual markets. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026

Those positions included diagnostic evaluation specialists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, ARD managers, special program directors, elementary literacy directors, special education analysts and emergent bilingual teachers. — Samuel O’Neal June 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026

The low-cost state college, and a later transfer to UCF, made higher education more affordable for his family and gave him a path toward his goal of becoming a physician’s assistant, one who is bilingual and can help close the language barrier between medical staff and Spanish-speaking patients. — Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 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