trilingual

[ trahy-ling-gwuhlor, Canadian, -ling-gyoo-uhl ]

adjective

1. using, speaking, or involving three languages.

trilingual

/ traɪˈlɪŋɡwəl /

adjective

1. able to speak three languages fluently
2. expressed or written in three languages

Derived Forms

• triˈlingually, adverb
• triˈlingualism, noun

Other Words From

• tri·lingual·ism noun
• tri·lingual·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of trilingual¹

1825–35; < Latin trilingu ( is ) triple-tongued + -al ¹. See tri-, lingual

Example Sentences

“When we’re bilingual or trilingual, our brain is always working, and we’re able to use whatever language we can express ourselves in.”

From Seattle Times

"The best-case scenario is to have a parallel text — a so-called bilingual or trilingual — that presents approximately the same meaning, but in two or three different scripts or languages," Bonmann said.

From Scientific American

Since you're trilingual, did you need to improve your Korean fluency at all or, on the flip side – how did you prepare for the more broken English?

From Salon

The trilingual actor was born and raised in Germany before studying acting in the United States.

From Salon

American-made trilingual epic melodrama tells the story of four generations of a Korean family, first in Korea under Japanese colonial rule and then in Japan, where legal restrictions and discrimination kept them a people apart.

From Los Angeles Times