What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
plurilingual
Example
She is plurilingual, speaking English, Spanish, and French fluently. [plurilingual: adjective]
Example
The city is known for its plurilingualism, with many residents speaking multiple languages. [plurilingualism: noun]
bilingual
Example
He grew up bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish at home. [bilingual: adjective]
Example
The school offers bilingual education, teaching students in both English and Spanish. [bilingual: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bilingual is more commonly used than plurilingual in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between plurilingual and bilingual?
Both plurilingual and bilingual can be used in formal and informal contexts, but plurilingual may be more commonly used in academic or professional settings where multilingualism is valued.