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

Highlights: Comprehensive all-inclusive packages are available, including multilingual support for a seamless experience for international clients. —William Jones, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025

Addressing the shortage of special education and multilingual teachers plus nurse educators. —Alex Golden, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025

Yesenia Robles is a reporter for Chalkbeat Colorado covering K-12 school districts and multilingual education. —Yesenia Robles, The Denver Post, 29 Jan. 2025

English language learners and multilingual students performed below the national average in math in both grades and in eighth grade reading. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1