idiom
noun
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Definition of idiom
1 : an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either grammatically (such as no, it wasn't me) or in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (such as ride herd on for "supervise")
2a : the language peculiar to a people or to a district, community, or class : dialect
b : the syntactical, grammatical, or structural form peculiar to a language
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Examples of idiom in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Richardson uses words impishly, rhyming, punning and twisting idioms at a prodigious rate. — Giles Harvey, New York Times, "Letter of Recommendation: ‘The Totally Football Show With James Richardson’," 3 July 2018 For family nights, his parents would choose a movie in English rather than Spanish to watch together, so the whole family could become familiar with the idiom and cadence of the language in their new country. — Jake Goodrick, azcentral, "For this Phoenix immigrant a choice of school offers path to college," 26 June 2018 Indeed, Nagano’s grasp of the Bernstein idiom is as complete as his orchestral command is firm. — John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, "CSO under Kent Nagano delivers a snazzy slice of vintage Bernstein," 30 Mar. 2018 For Pedrood the whole nuclear deal reminds him of an old Persian idiom. — Time, "'The Americans Cannot Be Trusted.' How Iran Is Reacting to Trump's Decision to Quit Nuclear Deal," 9 May 2018 These improvisatory additions never felt intrusive or showy, but were well within the Gershwin idiom. — Tim Smith, baltimoresun.com, "BSO shines in colorful program with Alsop, Gerstein," 2 June 2018 The program is perhaps most notable for the rare performance of the music of Othmar Schoeck, a Swiss composer working in the latest of late Romantic idioms. — David Allen, New York Times, "4 Classical Music Concerts to See in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 21 June 2018 The vernacular idiom that Hurston valued Wright and others deprecated as backward; her literary concern with romantic love was considered frivolous and even vulgar. — Emily Bernard, The New Republic, "Zora Neale Hurston’s drive to tell the story of the slave trade’s last survivor," 19 June 2018 Also, just to revisit the music montage and the American-Russian-ness of it all with McDonalds: While U2 is an Irish band, the music is rock and roll, an American idiom. — Tim Goodman, The Hollywood Reporter, "Critics' Conversation: Tim Goodman and Daniel Fienberg on "Powerful" 'Americans' Series Finale," 31 May 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'idiom.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Learn More about idiom
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
A Whole Barnyard of Farm Idioms
A Whole Barnyard of Farm Idioms
24 down-home turns of phrase
Dictionary Entries near idiom
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Last Updated
21 Sep 2018
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More Definitions for idiom
idiom
noun
English Language Learners Definition of idiom
: an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but that has a separate meaning of its own
: a form of a language that is spoken in a particular area and that uses some of its own words, grammar, and pronunciations
: a style or form of expression that is characteristic of a particular person, type of art, etc.
See the full definition for idiom in the English Language Learners Dictionary
idiom
noun
\
Kids Definition of idiom
: an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but must be learned as a whole The expression “give up,” meaning “surrender,” is an idiom.
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