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Colloquialism: meaning, definitions and examples

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colloquialism

 

[ ˌkɒləˈkwiːəlɪz(ə)m ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

informal language

Colloquialism refers to informal words, phrases, or even slang that are used in everyday conversation instead of formal language. Colloquialisms are often specific to a certain region or group of people, and can vary widely in different cultures.

Synonyms

informal language, slang, vernacular.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
colloquialism

Used to describe expressions or phrases that are used in casual conversation rather than formal speech or writing. These are often specific to a particular region or community.

  • In New England, people often use the colloquialism 'wicked' to mean 'very'.
  • The phrase 'kick the bucket' is a colloquialism for dying.
slang

Comprised of very informal words and expressions that are often used by specific groups of people, like teenagers or certain subcultures. Slang can quickly become outdated.

  • Teenagers often use the slang word 'lit' to describe something that is very good or exciting.
  • 'YOLO' is a popular slang term meaning 'You Only Live Once'.
informal language

Refers to everyday language that is used in casual conversation with friends and family, as opposed to formal language which is for professional settings or official documents.

  • 'What's up?' is an example of informal language used to greet someone.
  • 'Gonna' instead of 'going to' is often used in informal language.
vernacular

Language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular region or country. It often includes local words and phrases that are distinct from formal language.

  • The novel is written in the vernacular of rural Louisiana, making it authentic to the region.
  • He spoke in the vernacular of the streets, using words and phrases familiar to those around him.

Examples of usage

  • It's common to use colloquialisms like 'gonna' instead of 'going to' in casual conversation.
  • One example of a colloquialism is 'y'all' which is commonly used in the southern United States.
  • Colloquialisms can add a sense of familiarity and informality to speech.
  • Understanding colloquialisms can be challenging for non-native speakers of a language.
  • Colloquialisms can change over time as language evolves.

Translations

Translations of the word "colloquialism" in other languages:

🇵🇹 coloquialismo

🇮🇳 बोलचाल की भाषा

🇩🇪 Umgangssprache

🇮🇩 ungkapan sehari-hari

🇺🇦 розмовне слово

🇵🇱 kolokwializm

🇯🇵 口語表現 (こうごひょうげん)

🇫🇷 expression familière

🇪🇸 coloquialismo

🇹🇷 argo

🇰🇷 구어체 (구어)

🇸🇦 تعبير عامي

🇨🇿 hovorový výraz

🇸🇰 hovorový výraz

🇨🇳 口语表达 (kǒuyǔ biǎodá)

🇸🇮 pogovorni izraz

🇮🇸 talmál

🇰🇿 ауызекі сөз

🇬🇪 საუბრის ენა (saubris ena)

🇦🇿 ünsiyyət dili

🇲🇽 coloquialismo

Etymology

The term 'colloquialism' originated from the Latin word 'colloquium', meaning 'conversation'. It has been used in English since the 18th century to describe informal language used in everyday conversation. Colloquialisms play an important role in language diversity and reflect the cultural context in which they are used.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,453, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.