Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Using or knowing only one language: Describes a person, text, or system that operates in or is familiar with a single language.
   • Containing or expressed in only one language: Describes a dictionary, book, or publication that is written entirely in one language, often for speakers of that language to understand their own language better.

2. Noun:

   • A person who knows only one language: An individual who is fluent in or uses just a single language.

Examples

• Adjective:

  • She is a monolingual English speaker. (She uses and knows only the English language.)
  • This is a monolingual dictionary for learners of English. (This dictionary provides definitions and explanations only in English.)
  • The school's monolingual policy has been controversial. (The school's policy of using only one language has been debated.)

• Noun:

  • As a monolingual, he found traveling in a non-English speaking country challenging. (Because he knows only one language, he found the trip difficult.)
  • The program aims to help monolinguals become bilingual. (The program's goal is to teach people who know one language a second language.)

Advanced Usage

• Monolingualism (n): The condition of being monolingual; the use of only one language by an individual or within a community.
  • The country's history of monolingualism is changing due to immigration.
• In academic contexts, "monolingual" often contrasts with "bilingual" or "multilingual" when discussing language acquisition, education policy, or cognitive studies.
  • The study compared the cognitive flexibility of monolingual and bilingual children.

Variants and Related Words

• Bilingual (adj/n): Using or knowing two languages; a person who knows two languages.
• Multilingual (adj/n): Using or knowing several languages; a person who knows several languages.
• Monolingualism (n): The state or practice of using only one language.

Synonyms

• Unilingual (adj): (Less common) Using or knowing only one language; synonymous with 'monolingual'.
• Single-language (adj): Involving or using just one language (often used attributively, e.g., ).

Antonyms

• Bilingual (adj/n): Using two languages.
• Multilingual (adj/n): Using multiple languages.
• Polyglot (adj/n): Knowing or using several languages.

Adjective

1. using or knowing only one language
   • monolingual speakers
   • a monolingual dictionary

Noun

1. a person who knows only one language