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 bilingual tours include round-trip transportation from Oaxaca City, traditional meal shared in one of the women’s homes, and community visits. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 23 Oct. 2025

The bilingual social service workers’ monolingual counterparts did not receive the equity increase. —Richard Halstead, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025

The event will include bilingual storytime and a sugar skull craft, recommended for ages 4 and older. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025

The crowd — a mix of young people, couples, LGBTQ+ followers and fans from diverse ethnicities — seemingly knew every lyric as Uchis’ velvety voice floated effortlessly through her bilingual anthems. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025

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