trilingual
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: //traɪˈlɪŋɡwəl//
KK: /ˈtraɪlɪŋɡwəl/
adjective
Definition
Able to speak or use three different languages fluently.
Example
She is trilingual, speaking English, Spanish, and French.
Conversation
I just found out that Maria is trilingual!
Really? That's impressive!
Yeah, she speaks Spanish, French, and English fluently.
That's amazing! I wish I could be trilingual too.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
multilingual
polyglot
triadic
Antonyms
monolingual
bilingual
unilingual
noun
Definition
A person who can speak three different languages fluently.
Example
She is a trilingual, able to communicate in English, Spanish, and French.
Conversation
I just met someone who is trilingual at the coffee shop.
That's impressive! Which languages do they speak?
They speak English, Spanish, and French fluently.
Root Explanation
Trilingual is formed from "tri-" (meaning three) and "lingua" (meaning tongue or language). The word describes a person who speaks three languages.
Memory Tip
Think of 'tri-' meaning three and 'lingua' meaning language — a trilingual person is someone who speaks three languages.
Visually Confused Words
tubilingual
bilingual
lingual
thyrolingual
retrolingual
plurilingual
multilingual
intralingual