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 service Staff members are warm, efficient, and impressively bilingual throughout. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026

This bilingual, family-friendly performance blends original music, storytelling and imagination to build confidence, creativity and connection. —Melissa Grzybowski, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026

Atkinson claims is Milwaukee’s first bilingual art museum – is using art to prove that imagination and healing are intertwined. —Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 26 Feb. 2026

This helps explain why children who grow up bilingual often sound native in both languages. —Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 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