polyglot

1 of 2

noun

poly·​glot ˈpä-lē-ˌglät 

1

: one who is polyglot

2

capitalized : a book containing versions of the same text in several languages

especially : the Scriptures in several languages

3

: a mixture or confusion of languages or nomenclatures

polyglot

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: speaking or writing several languages : multilingual

b

: composed of numerous linguistic groups

a polyglot population

2

: containing matter in several languages

a polyglot sign

3

: composed of elements from different languages

4

: widely diverse (as in ethnic or cultural origins)

a polyglot cuisine

Did you know?

Polyglot comes from Greek polyglōttos, a combination of poly-, meaning "many" or "multi-," and glōtta, "language." Eventually, the word came to describe multilingual diversity.

Examples of polyglot in a Sentence

Adjective

a polyglot community made up of many cultures

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In the nineteen-twenties, modernity was transforming America, ushering in prosperity, polyglot metropolises, and new norms around gender and sexuality. —Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 29 July 2024

Normally, the Wall is a polyglot place as Jews—and others—from around the world come to share their thoughts with God, to kiss an ancient stone and squeeze a paper plea into a crevice. —David Faris, Newsweek, 9 July 2024

Adjective

Although many welcome the opportunity to serve in positions that utilize their particular knowledge of a language or culture—which might be in the increasingly polyglot and cosmopolitan cities of Europe and the Persian Gulf—none want to be pigeonholed. —Matthew Connelly, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2023

The previously dazzling and polyglot metropole of Vienna became merely the capital of Austria, a tiny and economically ravaged rump state whose awkward geography was made up mostly (but not exclusively) of German speakers. —Patrick Blanchfield, The New Republic, 1 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

derivative of polyglot entry 2; (sense 2) in part after the Complutensian Polyglot, a multilingual printed edition of the Bible completed in 1517

Adjective

borrowed from Greek (Attic) polýglōssos, (non-Attic) polýglōttos "speaking with many tongues, conveying many messages, in many languages," from poly- poly- + -glōssos, -glōttos, adjective derivative of glôssa, glôtta "tongue, language" — more at gloss entry 3

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

polyglot

adjective

poly·​glot

ˈpäl-i-ˌglät

1

: speaking or writing several languages

2

: containing or composed of several languages

polyglot noun