First Known Use: 1829
Dictionary
bilingual
adjective bi·lin·gual \(ˌ)bī-ˈliŋ-gwəl also -gyə-wəl\
: able to speak and understand two languages
: using or expressed in two languages
Full Definition of BILINGUAL
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
— bi·lin·gual·ly adverb
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Origin of BILINGUAL
Latin bilinguis, from bi- + lingua tongue — more at tongue
Other Language Terms
BILINGUALLY Defined for Kids
bilingual
adjective bi·lin·gual \ˌbī-ˈliŋ-gwəl, -gyə-wəl\
Definition of BILINGUAL for Kids
1
: using or expressed in two languages <a bilingual dictionary>
2
: able to speak two languages
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