lingual

adjective

lin·​gual ˈliŋ-gwəl 

also

ˈliŋ-gyə-wəl 

1

a

: of, relating to, or resembling the tongue

b

: lying near or next to the tongue

especially : relating to or being the surface of tooth next to the tongue

c

: produced by the tongue

2

: linguistic

lingually adverb

Examples of lingual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To see what else snakes might be up to with all that lingual action, these biologists recorded snake tongues with four high-speed video cameras and reconstructed a 3D model of the tongue in motion. —Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 18 Nov. 2013

Initially, Hoffmann tries to use Kambazemi — an intelligent, multi-lingual Herero woman — as an example to disprove his professor’s racist evolutionary theories. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Mar. 2023

Nafeesah Allen Contributing Writer Nafeesah Allen, Ph.D. is a multi-lingual author, independent researcher, editor, and contributing writer for various national online publications. —Nafeesah Allen, House Beautiful, 8 Mar. 2023

Multi-lingual assistance is available. —Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Latin lingua

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing lingual

• audio-lingual

Rhymes for lingual

• bilingual
• sublingual
• trilingual
• monolingual

Kids Definition

lingual

adjective

lin·​gual ˈliŋ-g(yə-)wəl 

1

: of, relating to, or resembling a tongue

2

: produced by the tongue

lingual sounds such as \t\ or \l\

lingually

-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

lingual

adjective

lin·​gual ˈliŋ-g(yə-)wəl 

1

: of, relating to, or resembling the tongue

2

: lying near or next to the tongue

a lingual blood vessel

especially : relating to or being the surface of a tooth next to the tongue