multilingual

adjective

mul·​ti·​lin·​gual ˌməl-tē-ˈliŋ-gwəl 

-ˈliŋ-gyə-wəl, 

-ˌtī-

1

: of, having, or expressed in several languages

a multilingual sign

multilingual dictionaries

2

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

multilingual translators

multilingualism

ˌməl-tē-ˈliŋ-gwə-ˌli-zəm 

-gyə-wə-, 

-ˌtī-

noun

multilingually

ˌməl-tē-ˈliŋ-gwə-lē 

-gyə-wə-lē, 

-ˌtī-

adverb

Did you know?

The roots of multilingual come from Latin. If you happen to prefer Greek, use the synonym polyglot, in which poly- has the same meaning as multi-, and -glot means the same thing as -lingual. The best way to become multilingual is probably to be born in a bilingual (two-language) household; learning those first two seems to give the mind the kind of exercise that makes later language-learning easy.

Examples of multilingual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Modern systems use machine learning, automation, and multilingual processing to help correctional professionals analyze large volumes of data more quickly and accurately. —Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 22 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

These agents are naturally multilingual. —Michelle Castillo, CNBC, 19 May 2026

And in schools, the number of multilingual learners, which was the only population increasing each year in Connecticut public schools, fell for the first time in decades this school year. —Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1