Jargon: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when talking about specialized language understood by a particular profession or group. It often has a negative connotation when referring to obscure or perplexing language that outsiders can't understand.

• Doctors often use medical jargon that can be confusing to patients.
• The legal document was full of jargon, making it hard to understand.

Refers to the set of specialized words or phrases used in a particular profession or field of study. It is often used in formal or academic contexts.

• You need to learn the correct terminology if you want to be a medical professional.
• The book provides a comprehensive list of scientific terminology.

Refers to a particular kind of language or terminology used by a specific group, often informal or slang. It is typically used in casual conversation.

• I don't understand the tech lingo used by software developers.
• Teenagers have their own lingo that's hard for parents to understand.

Refers to the language or dialect spoken by ordinary people in a particular region or country. It often implies the everyday language used by people in their daily conversations.

• He spoke in the local vernacular, making him more relatable to the villagers.
• Writers often use vernacular to make their characters seem more real.