bilingual
UK: baɪˈlɪŋɡwəl | US: baɪˈlɪŋɡwəl
adj. able to speak two languages fluently
adj. involving or using two languages
n. a person who speaks two languages fluently
The word "bilingual" originates from Latin roots. The prefix "bi-" (meaning "two") combines with "lingua" (meaning "tongue" or "language"), reflecting the concept of dual-language ability. The suffix "-al" turns it into an adjective. Historically, "lingua" evolved into modern Romance language terms like "lengua" (Spanish) and "lingua" (Italian), retaining its core meaning. The word’s structure logically mirrors its definition—"two languages."
She is bilingual in English and Spanish.
The school offers a bilingual education program.
Growing up in a bilingual household helped him learn both languages naturally.
The job requires candidates to be bilingual due to international client interactions.
Bilingual individuals often have cognitive advantages in problem-solving tasks.