lingua franca

lin·gua fran·ca

noun \ˈliŋ-gwə-ˈfraŋ-kə\

plural lingua francas or lin·guae fran·cae\-gwē-ˈfraŋ-(ˌ)kē\

Definition of LINGUA FRANCA

1

often capitalized : a common language consisting of Italian mixed with French, Spanish, Greek, and Arabic that was formerly spoken in Mediterranean ports

2

: any of various languages used as common or commercial tongues among peoples of diverse speech

3

: something resembling a common language <movies are the lingua franca of the twentieth century — Gore Vidal>

Examples of LINGUA FRANCA

1. English is used as a lingua franca among many airline pilots.

Origin of LINGUA FRANCA

Italian, literally, Frankish language

First Known Use: 1619

Other Language Terms

cognate, collocation, homonym

Rhymes with LINGUA FRANCA

Casablanca, Salamanca