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Multilingual: meaning, definitions and examples

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multilingual

 

[ mʌltiˈlɪŋɡwəl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

language use

Multilingual refers to the ability to communicate in several languages. It can describe a person who knows and uses multiple languages fluently.

Synonyms

bilingual, polyglot, trilingual

Examples of usage

  • She is multilingual, speaking English, Spanish, and French fluently.
  • In a multilingual classroom, students are encouraged to share their language skills.
  • Living in a multilingual country can offer many cultural experiences.
  • The multilingual website caters to users from different countries.

Translations

Translations of the word "multilingual" in other languages:

🇵🇹 multilíngue

🇮🇳 बहु भाषायी

🇩🇪 mehrsprachig

🇮🇩 multibahasa

🇺🇦 багатомовний

🇵🇱 wielojęzyczny

🇯🇵 多言語の

🇫🇷 multilingue

🇪🇸 multilingüe

🇹🇷 çok dilli

🇰🇷 다국어의

🇸🇦 متعدد اللغات

🇨🇿 vícejazyčný

🇸🇰 viacjazyčný

🇨🇳 多语言的

🇸🇮 večjezičen

🇮🇸 margt tungumál

🇰🇿 көптілді

🇬🇪 მრავალენოვანი

🇦🇿 çoxdillili

🇲🇽 multilingüe

Etymology

The term 'multilingual' derives from the prefix 'multi-' meaning 'many' and the root 'lingual', which pertains to language and comes from the Latin word 'lingua', meaning 'tongue' or 'language'. The concept of multilingualism has existed throughout history, as communities often arose from diverse linguistic backgrounds due to trade, migration, and colonialism. As globalization increased, so did the emphasis on learning multiple languages. The idea is that multilingual individuals possess cognitive advantages and cultural competencies that allow for better understanding and communication in a diverse world. The modern use of the term has expanded to encompass not just spoken languages, but also sign languages and dialects, reflecting the rich tapestry of human communication.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,171, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.