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

The second tier involves multilingual Wikipedia curation, which helps secure long-term digital real estate. — Behnam Shakibaie, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Another trend witnessed in digital travel services is multilingual communication. — William Jones, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

With the addition of more space, the school this year is undertaking a new dual-language program for more than 300 multilingual students, according to Kenyon Woods’ new Principal Jennifer Reyes, who previously helmed Abbott Middle School in Elgin. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

The students who wrote these letters are a dazzlingly multilingual crowd, natural storytellers who can toggle between three or four languages in the same conversation. — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1