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 staff is multilingual and genuinely warm, the design aesthetic feels globally inspired rather than trying to replicate some outdated European ideal, and the programming leans into wellness and community in ways that resonate with what many Black travelers are seeking right now. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 18 Oct. 2025

Beyond China, Songmont reaches a global consumer base via a multilingual e-commerce site that ships to most countries. —Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025

Ski resorts and resort hotels also use that program, along with the J-1 visa, a cultural exchange program that brings in multilingual workers able to converse with international guests. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025

Istanbul clinics frequently offer organized all-inclusive packages for foreign patients, multilingual personnel, and in-house accommodation offers. —Maria Williams, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1