Definition of idiolect
: the language or speech pattern of one individual at a particular period of life
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Movies & TV Dialect coach Erik Singer takes a look at idiolects, better known as the specific way one individual speaks.
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Not since Ghostface Killah or E-40 has a rapper invented such a cryptic and psychedelic idiolect.
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Jack Grieve, who also worked on the project, tells Rothman that over time each person develops a very subtle, unique way of writing called an idiolect, which is like a hidden fingerprint.
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The keynote address, on the theme of idiolect — the distinctive speech patterns of particular characters — was delivered by John Mullan, Lord Northcliffe chair of modern English literature at University College London.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'idiolect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of idiolect
idio- + -lect (as in dialect)
Learn More about idiolect
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See words that rhyme with idiolect Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about idiolect
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