unilingual

[ yoo-nuh-ling-gwuhlor, Canadian, -ling-gyoo-uhl ]

adjective

1. using only one language:

   a unilingual book.

unilingual

/ ˌjuːnɪˈlɪŋɡwəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to only one language
2. knowing only one language

noun

1. a person who knows only one language

Derived Forms

• ˌuniˈlingualˌism, noun

Other Words From

• uni·lingual·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unilingual¹

First recorded in 1865–70; uni- + lingual

Example Sentences

While running for the leadership of his party last year, Mr. Ford, who is unilingual, said in an interview that it would be ideal to know French because “I love Quebec. I love Quebecers. They’re passionate.”

From New York Times

In discussing people who are bilingual, he calls himself “barely unilingual,” but it takes some verbal dexterity to come up with that term.

From New York Times

Freund With Benefits For the impatient, socially awkward, unilingual traveler - in other words, for many of us - meeting locals can sometimes seem like a daunting proposition.

From New York Times

He was also criticized for dismissing an assistant, Perry Pearn, before a game this season; firing the head coach, Jacques Martin, on a game day; hiring the unilingual Randy Cunneyworth to replace Martin, causing an outcry across Quebec; and trading forward Mike Cammalleri during a game in January.

From New York Times

Cunneyworth is the team's first unilingual coach since 1971, when Al MacNeil led the team to the Stanley Cup but was demoted for clashing with French-speaking players.

From Seattle Times