polyglot
2 antonyms and opposites of polyglot, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A person who knows and can use several languages.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A person who knows and can use several languages.
“As a polyglot, she switched between Portuguese, Arabic and Dutch in a single conversation.”
Opposites
2. adjective
Using, containing or speaking several languages.
“A polyglot edition of the Bible with the text in four languages side by side.”
Opposites
Antonyms
How to Use Polyglot
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Slightly formal or literary as a noun; the adjective is common in travel and historical writing.
Etymology
From Greek polyglōttos, from poly-, "many", and glōtta, "tongue, language".
Full origin of polyglot →Frequently Asked Questions
How many languages do you need to be a polyglot?
There is no official threshold, but the word is normally used of people who use at least three or four languages with real competence. Someone with two is usually just called bilingual.
What is the difference between a polyglot and a linguist?
A polyglot speaks many languages. A linguist studies language scientifically — its structure, sounds and history — and may only speak one. The words are often used loosely in everyday speech, but the distinction matters academically.
What is the difference between a polyglot and a polymath?
A polyglot's range is in languages; a polymath's range is across many fields of knowledge, such as science, art and philosophy. Both come from Greek poly-, meaning many.