WordGarden.iomonolingual
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˌmɑnəˈlɪŋɡwəl/
Meanings
Adjective
using, written in, or limited to one language only
Noun
a person who uses or speaks only one language
Beyond the definition
Imagine growing up, living, and communicating in just one language. That's the core idea here. It means a person speaks and uses only one language, not two or more. Many people are like this, especially if they have lived in one place and had little need to learn another language. There is nothing wrong with it, but in today's connected world, it can sometimes make travel, work, or communication harder. A tourist who knows only one language, for example, may need a translator in another country, while someone who speaks two languages may manage more easily.
The word "monolingual" describes a person, group, or setting that uses only one language. The prefix "mono-" means "one," so the basic idea is simple: one language, not two or more. Most often, the word is used for a person who speaks only one language.
You will often see it in discussions about language learning, education, travel, and culture. A student may be described as monolingual before starting to learn a second language. A traveler who speaks only one language may find it hard to ask for help abroad. A workplace may note that a role is difficult for a monolingual applicant if the job requires regular communication with people in more than one language.
The word can also describe things other than people. For example, a book, website, dictionary, or classroom may be called monolingual if it uses just one language throughout. In that sense, the word is not only about personal ability; it can also describe the language situation in a text, system, or environment.
The tone of the word is usually neutral. It does not mean good or bad by itself. It simply states that only one language is involved. In everyday use, people often contrast it with "bilingual" and "multilingual" to talk about different language backgrounds, needs, and experiences.
Examples
- 1
Family travel
My father is monolingual, so I usually help him when we travel abroad.
- 2
Website users
The website needs to be clear for both bilingual and monolingual users.
- 3
Community
She grew up in a mostly monolingual town and did not start learning English until high school.
- 4
Language classrooms
Some older language courses were designed for monolingual classrooms, not for students who use two or three languages every day.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Person noun
Unlike most of his classmates, he was a monolingual when he arrived at the international school.
See also
Similar
- unilingual
Shades of meaning
- single-language
- monoglot
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- monolingual speaker
- monolingual dictionary
- monolingual education
Word family
- monolingualism
Explore
- language proficiency
- code-switching
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- monolingualnounadjective
Forms
- monolingualspluralnounadjective