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 bilingual actor, singer and dancer is pivoting to prime time TV in a major way. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 July 2025

The district serves approximately 22,000 emergent bilingual students whose families speak more than 100 languages, including Spanish, Pashto, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and Arabic. —Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025

But Eugenio Derbez — star and executive producer of the bilingual hit series — wants viewers to remember Máximo in the show's fourth and final season as a dreamer who also represents the moxie and creativity of hardworking Mexicans. —Arturo Conde, NBC news, 23 July 2025

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 july 10, CBS News, 10 July 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