bilingual

adjective

bi·​lin·​gual (ˌ)bī-ˈliŋ-gwəl How to pronounce bilingual (audio)
also -gyə-wəl
1
: having or expressed in two languages
a bilingual document
an officially bilingual nation
2
: using or able to use two languages especially with equal fluency
bilingual in English and Japanese
3
: of or relating to bilingual education
bilingual noun
bilingually adverb

Examples of bilingual in a Sentence

Several of the employees are bilingual. He is bilingual in English and Japanese. She grew up in a bilingual community. The town has an excellent bilingual education program.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These towns can transport you to lands where windmills spin, tulips bloom, hefeweizen flows and bilingual signs welcome — and välkommen or willkommen or witamy. — Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 30 May 2026 The schools are bilingual, meaning that instruction is in Spanish but also in Mixtec and other languages. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026 The same child can be Latino, immigrant, gay, trans, poor, undocumented, bilingual, scared, brilliant and full of promise. — Carlos Rivas Jr, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026 All educators are bilingual, and additional language services are available at the facility based on any needs. — Jim Axelrod, CBS News, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for bilingual

Word History

Etymology

Latin bilinguis, from bi- + lingua tongue — more at tongue

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bilingual was in 1819

Phrases Containing bilingual

Rhymes for bilingual

See All Rhymes for bilingual

Browse Nearby Words

biling
bilingual
bilingual education
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bilingual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bilingual. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bilingual

adjective
bi·​lin·​gual (ˌ)bī-ˈliŋ-g(yə-)wəl How to pronounce bilingual (audio)
1
: of, expressed in, or using two languages
a bilingual dictionary
2
: able to use two languages especially with fluency

More from Merriam-Webster on bilingual

Nglish: Translation of bilingual for Spanish Speakers

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