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Bilingual: meaning, definitions and examples

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bilingual

 

[ baɪˈlɪŋɡwəl ]

Adjective
Languages
Context #1 | Adjective

language proficiency

Bilingual refers to a person or a community that is fluent in two languages. This ability often enhances communication, understanding, and cultural exchange. In many cases, bilingualism develops through exposure in various contexts, such as home environments and educational systems.

Synonyms

dual-language, two-language

Examples of usage

  • She is bilingual in English and Spanish.
  • The school offers a bilingual program for students.
  • Being bilingual can improve job prospects.
  • Bilingual children may excel in cognitive tasks.

Translations

Translations of the word "bilingual" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bilingue

🇮🇳 दुभाषी

🇩🇪 zweisprachig

🇮🇩 bilingual

🇺🇦 білінгвальний

🇵🇱 bilingwalny

🇯🇵 バイリンガル

🇫🇷 bilingue

🇪🇸 bilingüe

🇹🇷 iki dilli

🇰🇷 이중 언어의

🇸🇦 ثنائي اللغة

🇨🇿 dvojjazyčný

🇸🇰 dvojjazyčný

🇨🇳 双语的

🇸🇮 dvojezičen

🇮🇸 tvítyngdur

🇰🇿 екі тілде сөйлейтін

🇬🇪 ბილინგვალური

🇦🇿 bilingval

🇲🇽 bilingüe

Word origin

The term 'bilingual' originates from the Latin prefix 'bi-', meaning 'two', and 'lingua', which means 'tongue' or 'language'. The word began to be used in its current sense in the early 20th century, although the concept of speaking multiple languages has existed for centuries across various cultures. Historically, bilingualism has often been the result of colonization, immigration, and globalization, contributing to linguistic diversity. In linguistic studies, bilingualism is recognized as a significant area of interest, highlighting the cognitive, social, and educational implications of speaking more than one language.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,997, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.