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

Madsen had to make sure the multilingual dialogue sounded pitch-perfect in many tongues, some of which are quite endangered. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2025

The series centers on the relationship between Joo Ho-jin, a multilingual interpreter, and Cha Mu-hee, a world-famous celebrity. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Dec. 2025

That funding goes toward professional development, resources for multilingual students and enrichment. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 16 Dec. 2025

Developers say nearly every component, from weatherproof casing to motion controls and the multilingual voice system, was built specifically for the robot’s role on the streets. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 6 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1