multilingual

adjective

mul·​ti·​lin·​gual ˌməl-tē-ˈliŋ-gwəl 

-ˈliŋ-gyə-wəl, 

-ˌtī-

1

: of, having, or expressed in several languages

a multilingual sign

multilingual dictionaries

2

: using or able to use several languages especially with equal fluency

multilingual translators

multilingualism

ˌməl-tē-ˈliŋ-gwə-ˌli-zəm 

-gyə-wə-, 

-ˌtī-

noun

multilingually

ˌməl-tē-ˈliŋ-gwə-lē 

-gyə-wə-lē, 

-ˌtī-

adverb

Did you know?

The roots of multilingual come from Latin. If you happen to prefer Greek, use the synonym polyglot, in which poly- has the same meaning as multi-, and -glot means the same thing as -lingual. The best way to become multilingual is probably to be born in a bilingual (two-language) household; learning those first two seems to give the mind the kind of exercise that makes later language-learning easy.

Examples of multilingual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Almario favors adding multilingual alerts for those facing an impending disaster, such as a spreading fire or a toxic gas leak. —Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 29 May 2026

Special programming includes Les Petits, a cooking program for children, a summertime kids’ club for ages 4-10, and multilingual babysitting services. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026

More than half of job recruiters actively seek out multilingual or bilingual talent, and travelers who pick up a foreign language often form lasting friendships abroad — the kind that can turn a three-night micro-cation into something more durable. —Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026

Along with having access to all information in the system, Cuevas said the chatbot is multilingual. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1