What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bilingual
Example
She is bilingual and can speak both English and Spanish fluently. [bilingual: adjective]
Example
The city has a large bilingual population, with many people speaking both English and French. [bilingual: noun]
multilingual
Example
He is multilingual and can communicate in English, French, and German. [multilingual: adjective]
Example
The country is known for its multilingualism, with citizens speaking various languages. [multilingualism: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bilingual is a more commonly used term in everyday language and is widely recognized. It is often used to describe individuals who can speak two languages fluently. Multilingual, while less commonly used, is still understood and emphasizes the ability to communicate in multiple languages.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bilingual and multilingual?
Both bilingual and multilingual can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, bilingual is more versatile and commonly used across different formality levels, including academic and professional settings.
