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

All educators are bilingual, and additional language services are available at the facility based on any needs. —Jim Axelrod, CBS News, 31 May 2026

Some bus drivers will be bilingual, Kramer said, and those who aren’t will be equipped with translation apps. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026

Any institution that fails to understand Tijuana, Baja California, border commerce, bilingual labor markets, immigration realities, environmental interdependence and cross-border health issues is not worthy of the site. —Christos Korgan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026

The bilingual educator training company has been defunct since 2023, according to the Illinois secretary of state’s office. —Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 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