The Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is polyglot. Read on for what it means, how it’s used, and more.

What It Means

Polyglot means “knowing or using several languages”—that is, “being multilingual.” It can also mean “widely diverse (as in ethnic or cultural origins).”

// The resort has polyglot travelers, and the staff converse comfortably in several languages.

// The city has a polyglot community made up of many cultures.

POLYGLOT in Context

“Astoria, Queens, is a charming, polyglot, historically rich community known for its … great food and concentration of artistic talent.” — Steve Cuozzo, The New York Post, 28 Feb. 2022

Did You Know?

Polyglot comes from Greek polyglōttos, a combination of poly–, meaning “many” or “multi-,” and glōtta, “language.” Eventually, the word came to describe multilingual diversity.