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

Meredith proposed that these puzzling and remarkable mistakes might even point to a multilingual workshop. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 16 Nov. 2025

Niseko United Niseko is one of Japan’s most popular ski destinations for international visitors, with a lot of multilingual support and plenty of creature comforts. —Selena Takigawa Hoy, Travel + Leisure, 13 Nov. 2025

In immigrant communities, where language barriers often prevent engagement with legal institutions, AI tools capable of multilingual support could transform participation in justice. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

In places such as the United Nations, simultaneous interpreters have long worked behind soundproof glass, inconspicuous yet indispensable, enabling multilingual deliberation for people who may scarcely register their presence. —Ross Benjamin, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1