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

Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti, creator of Desde Otro Cero, a bilingual website dedicated to the performing arts, has been reviewing plays at the Old Town Theatre on and off for 13 years and has special memories of the old barn. —David J. Bohnet, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025

Hire bilingual liaisons or local team members. —Adam Shaw, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Showing off her bilingual abilities, Doja Cat revealed in June that her album was finished, but wrote the X message in French. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2025

Her 7-year-old, who attends a bilingual school, has already been discussing the situation with classmates. —Nik Popli, Time, 21 Aug. 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