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

Carney noted that Canada is a bilingual country with two official languages. —Rob Gillies The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 27 Mar. 2026

Neither were bilingual parent workshops about systemic racism. —Kamren Curiel, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026

Born in Mexico, López-Owens, 35, has advocated for Latinos as a leader of the Indiana Latino Democratic Caucus and a bilingual field organizer with the Indiana Democratic Party. —Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026

Carney noted that Canada is a bilingual country with two official languages. —ABC News, 26 Mar. 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