Origin: Latin suffix -al
Bilingual has 4 different meanings across 2 categories:
a person who speaks two languages fluently
"As a bilingual employee, she seamlessly switched between English and Spanish during every meeting."
A person who is able to use two languages.
"The bilingual student switched effortlessly between English and Spanish during her presentation."
In plain English: A bilingual person is someone who can speak two different languages fluently.
"The bilingual served as an interpreter for the visitors from both countries."
Having the ability to speak two languages.
"Maria is bilingual and can fluently switch between Spanish and English during our conversation."
In plain English: Bilingual means being able to speak and understand two different languages fluently.
"My brother is bilingual and speaks both English and Spanish fluently at home."
Usage: Use this adjective before or after a noun, such as bilingual students or she was bilingual in French and English. Do not confuse it with "multilingual," which describes someone speaking three or more languages.
From Latin bilinguis + -al; equivalent to bi- + lingual.