bilingual

adjective

bi·​lin·​gual (ˌ)bī-ˈliŋ-gwəl How to pronounce bilingual (audio)
 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Despite the public claims against our proposals, the CTU and the district actually have already agreed to increase the number of case managers for students with disabilities, English language program teachers, bilingual teacher assistants and counselors. Stacy Davis Gates, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024 Given the nature of many multigenerational Hispanic households, brands should consider launching bilingual marketing campaigns to maximize their reach. Aldo Quevedo, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 Alexa Robles-Gil | | READ MORE Alexa Robles-Gil is a bilingual science journalist based in New York City. Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2024 As a proud bilingual journalist, Valdes put her skills forward to produce and report an in-depth piece on Hurricane Maria's impact to Puerto Rico. Nicole Valdes, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bilingual 

Word History

Etymology

Latin bilinguis, from bi- + lingua tongue — more at tongue

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bilingual was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near bilingual

Cite this Entry

“Bilingual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bilingual. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

bilingual

adjective
bi·​lin·​gual (ˌ)bī-ˈliŋ-g(yə-)wəl How to pronounce bilingual (audio)
1
: of, expressed in, or using two languages
a bilingual dictionary
2
: able to use two languages especially with fluency

More from Merriam-Webster on bilingual

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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