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

Alicia Sanchez is an Afro-Latina marketing strategist and entrepreneur who helps businesses build lasting customer relationships through email marketing, retention, bilingual strategy, and brand activations. — Alicia Sanchez, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026

But switching to a bilingual Head Start program has given her daughter confidence and a newfound enthusiasm for school. — Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

This being a French line and a bilingual ship, everything is done once in French, then translated to English. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

The program reached all 58 counties and made California the first state to offer a fully bilingual English-Spanish book option, according to the legislation. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 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