What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
polyglot
Example
My friend is a polyglot and can speak five languages fluently. [polyglot: noun]
Example
The movie was a polyglot production with actors speaking in English, French, and Spanish. [polyglot: adjective]
Example
New York City is a polyglot city with over 800 languages spoken. [polyglot: adjective]
bilingual
Example
My cousin is bilingual and can speak both English and Spanish fluently. [bilingual: adjective]
Example
The children's book was bilingual, with the story written in both English and French. [bilingual: adjective]
Example
Canada is a bilingual country with both English and French as official languages. [bilingual: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bilingual is a more commonly used term than polyglot, especially in everyday language. Bilingual is a widely recognized term and is often used to describe individuals who grow up speaking two languages or communities where two languages are spoken. Polyglot, on the other hand, is less common and is typically used to describe individuals with exceptional language skills.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between polyglot and bilingual?
Both polyglot and bilingual are neutral terms and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, polyglot may be perceived as more formal due to its association with exceptional language skills.
