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

Wesley Morgan taught physics, as well as a bilingual class for recent Spanish-speaking immigrants, and became a PAEMST awardee in 2023. —Talia Milgrom-Elcott, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Filming is underway in Colombia on bilingual political thriller White, a feature about Indian guru Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s role in Colombia’s peace process. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025

Bella meaning beautiful and Luna translating to moon, which could relate to their popularity given their bilingual meanings. —Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 8 Sep. 2025

This new use of a bilingual AI has the potential to better serve homebuyers in Hispanic and other underrepresented communities. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 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