Synonyms of vernacular

vernacular 1 of 2

adjective

vər-ˈna-kyə-lər 

as in colloquial

used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing

writes essays in a very easy-to-read, vernacular style

Synonyms & Similar Words

• colloquial
• informal
• nonliterary
• vulgar
• conversational
• nonformal
• dialectical
• unliterary
• slang
• dialectal
• regional
• nonstandard
• unbookish
• ungrammatical
• uneducated
• substandard
• incorrect
• slangy
• unlearned
• nongrammatical

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• literary
• formal
• standard
• learned
• bookish
• proper
• grammatical
• correct
• genteel
• educated
• undialectical

vernacular

2 of 2

noun

1

as in idiom

Related Words

• colloquial
• idiom
• colloquialism
• parlance
• regionalism
• dialect
• pidgin
• slang
• terminology
• argot
• localism
• jargon
• patois
• speech
• vocabulary
• provincialism
• lingo
• language
• vernacularism
• jive
• shoptalk
• patter
• slanguage
• shop
• cant
• journalese
• bureaucratese
• computerese
• educationese
• technobabble
• governmentese
• cyberspeak

2

as in binomial

Related Words

• binomial
• misnomer
• brand name
• trade name
• label
• trivial name
• monomial
• pen name
• pseudonym
• nickname
• diminutive
• trademark
• nom de plume
• sobriquet
• tag
• epithet
• alias
• nom de guerre
• cryptonym
• patronymic
• family name
• maiden name
• banner
• first name
• rubric
• Christian name
• middle name
• hypocorism
• matronymic
• surname
• given name
• byname
• forename
• baptismal name

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of vernacular

Adjective

Because the alcohol drives the storytellers toward vernacular expression, these pieces can seem more alive and authentic, more relatable, than big-budget, big-screen productions. — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Among other things, the council revolutionized the Catholic Church’s relations with other religions and the laity, and allowed Mass to be celebrated in vernacular languages rather than Latin. — ABC News, 30 June 2026

Noun

Nevin remembered the songwriter as a melancholic genius, and insisted that Foster did not merely caricature Black Americans but used their vernacular to convey universal themes. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Among other things, the 1960s church meetings revolutionized the Catholic Church’s relations with other Christians, Jews and people of other faiths, and allowed Mass to be celebrated in the vernacular rather than Latin. — ABC News, 1 July 2026