colloquial

adjective

col·​lo·​qui·​al kə-ˈlō-kwē-əl 

1

a

: used in or characteristic of familiar and informal conversation

In colloquial English, "kind of" is often used for "somewhat" or "rather."

Known for her unique rhythms and colloquial style, [Gwendolyn] Brooks is one of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century …

—Scholastic Scope

also : unacceptably informal

The phrase "bye-bye" is too colloquial in this context.

b

: using or characterized by conversational style

a colloquial writer

… the desire is strong to "write the way people talk," to use the vernacular, to be colloquial …

—Jacques Barzun

2

: of or relating to conversation : conversational

colloquial expressions

He could impress French journalists with his colloquial skills …

—Asla Aydintasbas

colloquial noun

colloquiality

kə-ˌlō-kwē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

colloquially

kə-ˈlō-kwē-ə-lē 

adverb

Did you know?

The noun colloquy was first used in English to refer to a conversation or dialogue, and when the adjective colloquial was formed from colloquy it had a similar focus. Over time, however, colloquial developed a more specific meaning related to language that is most suited to informal conversation—and it ultimately garnered an additional, disparaging implication of a style that seems too informal for a situation. Colloquy and colloquial trace back to the Latin verb colloqui, meaning "to converse." Colloqui in turn was formed by combining the prefix com- ("with") and loqui ("to speak"). Other conversational descendants of loqui in English include circumlocution, eloquent, loquacious, soliloquy, and ventriloquism.

Synonyms of colloquial

• vernacular
• informal

Examples of colloquial in a Sentence

But I think part of this pickle that we're in—if I may be colloquial, even though I'm not running for office—is that we've lost their sense of responsibility. —Sarah Vowell, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2008

Langston was the merriest and the most colloquial of them all. "Best party I've ever been given!" he said. —Gwendolyn Brooks, Booklist, 15 Oct. 1993

Mr. Salisbury's firsthand account is written in a fast-paced, chaotic and colloquial style, which often feels confused and hastily set down. —Susan Shapiro, New York Times Book Review, 10 Sept. 1989

Although in the circle of his friends, where he might be unreserved with safety, he took a free share in conversation, his colloquial talents were not above mediocrity, possessing neither copiousness of ideas, nor fluency of words. —Thomas Jefferson, letter, 2 Jan. 1814

the new coworker's rudeness soon began—to use a colloquial expression—to rub me the wrong way

a colloquial essay on what makes a marriage successful

Recent Examples on the Web

Through it all, the specifically colloquial quality of the dialogue and the delivery of the vivacious voice cast preserves the film’s Mexican identity. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025

The language is colloquial, down-to-earth. —Andrew Rojecki, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025

The concept of reawakening is a major theme in this year’s fashion show, celebrating the colloquial woman, from morning to night. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025

But unlike the evolution of colloquial language, which is largely arbitrary, the evolution of scientific terms must reflect our current understanding of reality. —Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see colloquy

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

colloquial

adjective

col·​lo·​qui·​al kə-ˈlō-kwē-əl 

1

: used in or suited to familiar and informal conversation

a colloquial word

2

: using conversational style

a colloquial writer

colloquially

-kwē-ə-lē 

adverb