polyglot

noun

poly·​glot ˈpä-lē-ˌglät 

1

: one who is polyglot

2

Polyglot : a book containing versions of the same text in several languages

especially : the Scriptures in several languages

3

: a mixture or confusion of languages or nomenclatures

Did you know?

Polyglot comes from Greek polyglōttos, a combination of poly-, meaning "many" or "multi-," and glōtta, "language." Eventually, the word came to describe multilingual diversity.

Examples of polyglot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Al-Hashimi became a polyglot — speaking English, Farsi and Armenian — in part to curb the effects of a seizure disorder on her temporal lobe, which is crucial for language comprehension. —Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026

The video is a heartfelt, lively celebration of the polyglot melting pot that New York City has always been, created by two longtime residents. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 May 2026

The benefits of being a polyglot (as a fiction writer). —Literary Hub, 12 May 2026

Stubb is also a prolific author, skilled golfer, and polyglot who speaks Finnish, Swedish, French, English, and German. —L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

derivative of polyglot entry 2; (sense 2) in part after the Complutensian Polyglot, a multilingual printed edition of the Bible completed in 1517

First Known Use

circa 1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

polyglot

adjective

poly·​glot

ˈpäl-i-ˌglät

1

: speaking or writing several languages

2

: containing or composed of several languages

polyglot noun