What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
plurilingual
Example
As a plurilingual speaker, she was able to easily navigate the multilingual conference. [plurilingual: adjective]
Example
The plurilingual student was able to switch between languages with ease during the conversation. [plurilingual: noun]
multilingual
Example
The company was looking for a multilingual candidate who could communicate with clients from different countries. [multilingual: adjective]
Example
The city is known for its multilingual population, with over 50 languages spoken. [multilingual: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Multilingual is more commonly used than plurilingual in everyday language. Multilingual is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while plurilingual is less common and refers to a high level of proficiency in multiple languages.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between plurilingual and multilingual?
Both plurilingual and multilingual can be used in formal and informal contexts, but plurilingual may be more formal due to its less common usage and emphasis on proficiency.