polyglot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “polyglot” mean?
A person who knows, uses, or is written in several languages.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who knows, uses, or is written in several languages.
A book or text containing the same text in multiple languages. Can also describe a gathering, community, or system that incorporates or operates in multiple languages.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Slight preference for 'multilingual' over 'polyglot' as an adjective in everyday contexts in both regions.
Connotations
May carry a slightly more intellectual or specialised tone than 'multilingual', sometimes suggesting a passion for languages as a skill or hobby.
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in both, with similar distribution. More common in academic or descriptive contexts than in casual conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “polyglot” in a Sentence
[be/become] a polyglotpolyglot [person/community/text]polyglot in [number] languagesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “polyglot” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The conference was a polyglot affair, with interpreters working in six languages.
- She grew up in a polyglot household.
American English
- The neighbourhood has a wonderfully polyglot character.
- He is working on a polyglot edition of the ancient text.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May be used in contexts like international HR or customer service to describe an ideal candidate's skill set.
Academic
Common in linguistics, sociology (describing multilingual communities), and literary studies (describing parallel-text editions).
Everyday
Used to describe someone with an impressive talent for languages.
Technical
In computing, refers to a polyglot program or file that is valid in multiple programming languages or formats.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “polyglot”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “polyglot”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “polyglot”
- Using 'polyglot' as a verb (e.g., 'He polyglots').
- Confusing 'polyglot' (person) with 'polymath' (person of wide learning).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Bilingual' specifically means fluent in two languages. 'Multilingual' is a broader, more common term for fluency in multiple languages. 'Polyglot' often implies a higher degree of skill, passion, or a larger number of languages than 'multilingual', and is more often used as a noun.
No, 'polyglot' is not standardly used as a verb. You would say 'speak multiple languages' or 'learn languages'.
Yes, it is an informal but recognised term in linguistic circles for someone who speaks an exceptionally large number of languages (often cited as 6+ or 11+).
No, it is generally a complimentary term. However, context matters; in some informal settings, it might sound overly formal or pretentious compared to 'multilingual'.
A person who knows, uses, or is written in several languages.
Polyglot is usually formal to neutral in register.
Polyglot: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɒl.ɪ.ɡlɒt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɑː.li.ɡlɑːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'POLY' (many) + 'GLOT' (tongue/language). A person with many tongues.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGES ARE TOOLS / POSSESSIONS (A polyglot has a large toolkit / collection of languages).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST accurate description of a polyglot?