# bilingual

/baɪˈɫɪŋɡwəɫ/ (US) · /baɪlˈɪŋɡwəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bilingual
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. speaking two languages

adjective · CEFR B1

able to speak two languages perfectly or very well.

For teachers: having the ability to speak two languages with native or near-native fluency.

- She grew up in Montreal and is completely bilingual in French and English.
- The company prioritises hiring bilingual candidates to better serve their diverse client base in the border regions.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'in' when specifying the languages.

### 2. written in two languages

adjective · CEFR B1

written or spoken in two different languages.

For teachers: expressed in, using, or containing two languages, often for the purpose of accessibility or education.

- The street signs in this city are bilingual so everyone can read them.
- The museum provides bilingual brochures to ensure that international tourists can navigate the exhibits without a private guide.

### 3. a person

noun · CEFR B2

someone who can use two languages fluently.

For teachers: a person with the ability to use two languages with equal or nearly equal facility.

- As a bilingual, he often helps his friends translate difficult emails.
- Psychological studies suggest that bilinguals may possess a cognitive advantage in tasks requiring executive control and task-switching.

## Examples

- She is bilingual in Spanish and English.
- The company is looking for a bilingual assistant who can handle calls from both local and international clients.
- Growing up in a bilingual household often provides children with a cognitive flexibility that allows them to switch between different cultural contexts with remarkable ease.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.