What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
multilingual
Example
She is multilingual and can speak English, Spanish, and French fluently. [multilingual: adjective]
Example
The city is known for its multilingual population, with many residents speaking multiple languages. [multilingual: noun]
polyglot
Example
He is a polyglot and can speak over 10 languages fluently. [polyglot: noun]
Example
The book is a polyglot edition, with the text translated into several languages. [polyglot: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Multilingual is more common in everyday language and is used in a variety of contexts, while polyglot is less common and is typically used in more formal or academic settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between multilingual and polyglot?
Polyglot is more formal than multilingual and is often used in academic or professional contexts. Multilingual, on the other hand, is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
