What does bilingually mean?
"Bilingually" is an adverb describing action carried out in or by means of two languages. It most often characterizes people — children raised bilingually, students taught bilingually — but also applies to institutions and materials: a government may publish notices bilingually, a school may deliver its curriculum bilingually, and a broadcaster may present programs bilingually to serve two speech communities. The word derives from "bilingual," itself built on the Latin roots bi- ("two") and lingua ("tongue, language"), plus the adverbial suffix -ly. It sits comfortably in formal registers — education policy, linguistics, immigration reporting — though it appears in everyday speech as well. Its antonyms include monolingually and unilingually, describing conduct confined to a single language. Interest in the word reflects broader public fascination with bilingualism, which research links to cognitive benefits such as enhanced attentional control. For writers, "bilingually" offers a precise, economical way to express dual-language practice without resorting to longer phrases like "in two languages."
adverbIn a bilingual manner; using or involving two languages, especially with equal or near-equal fluency.
- Using or conducted in two languages, especially by a person speaking both fluently.
- Relating to something (such as signage, education, or publication) rendered or available in two languages.
"The children were educated bilingually from an early age, attending classes in both English and Spanish."
"She was raised bilingually in a household where French and English were spoken interchangeably."
"All official notices in the region are published bilingually to serve both language communities."
Raise a child bilingually and their brain literally grows denser grey matter in the regions that manage attention — two languages, one structural upgrade.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bilingually
"Bilingually" is formed from the adjective "bilingual" plus the adverbial suffix -ly. "Bilingual" entered English in the 19th century, combining Latin bi- ("two") with lingua ("tongue, language"), the same root that gives us "language," "linguistics," and "multilingual." The adverb follows the productive English pattern of turning adjectives into manner adverbs, so it emerged naturally once "bilingual" was established.
Related word forms
How bilingually is actually used
A neutral, formal-leaning adverb used chiefly in educational, linguistic, and administrative contexts. It typically describes people raised or schooled in two languages, or materials produced in two languages; it carries no negative connotation.
Easily confused with bilingually
'Bilingually' refers to the use of two languages, while 'ambiguously' means in a way that can be understood in more than one sense.