1
as in vernacular
used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing
the new coworker's rudeness soon began—to use a colloquial expression—to rub me the wrong way
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conversational
having the style and content of everyday conversation
a colloquial essay on what makes a marriage successful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in colloquialism
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of colloquial
James Folta, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Gilbert’s colloquial style, once a source of great pleasure, has tipped into new territory—an ingenuousness that blends guru and disciple, mother and child.
—Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
But the colloquial use of the term has prompted criticism from some.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 20 July 2025
Proposition 12 is the colloquial term for the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative.
—Alan Wooten, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Noun
This isn’t about a desire for simpler, colloquial language.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Gilbert’s colloquial style, once a source of great pleasure, has tipped into new territory—an ingenuousness that blends guru and disciple, mother and child.
—Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
But the colloquial use of the term has prompted criticism from some.
—Rebecca Schneid, Time, 20 July 2025
Proposition 12 is the colloquial term for the Farm Animal Confinement Initiative.
—Alan Wooten, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colloquial
Adjective
-
For such an insistence on democracy, the pavilion is curiously tepid in its politics, save for a kind of vernacular populism and some PBS-esque nods to the Gee’s Bend quilters.—
Kate Wagner,
Curbed,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Once again, his use of vernacular and social media address appeared to be mocking the President’s own style.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But the results lack the sparkle of that song, while reinforcing its message that some things are best left in the past … the quality control blows hot and cold here … Her mellifluously conversational singing is as appealing as ever.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
-
As with their conversational qualities, the smart home capabilities of both AI bots are likely to develop rapidly.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
What started out as an advertising slogan for Apple more than 15 years ago has morphed into somewhat of a modern day colloquialism: There should be an app for that.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
-
This could involve helping systems learn colloquialisms and proper usages of terms.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In office requirements, formal or informal have been on the rise in corporate America the last few years, such as Amazon and Microsoft.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Their engagement is centered on informal, social formats that blend sport and entertainment, the study found.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The raid, Jones says, also exposed familiar fault lines in labor and manufacturing.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Stop us if any of this sounds familiar.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The history of labor struggle, infused with religious idioms, is a source of identity and values evident in everything from union meetings in churches to prayers on picket lines.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, analytical software has revolutionized linguistic inquiry, enabling greater understanding of the ways language works—when, how, and why words break out; the specific contexts for expressions and idioms.—
Stefan Fatsis,
The Atlantic,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The soft, stretchy fabric and elastic waistband keep them comfortable, while the sleek design works for fitness classes, errands, or even a casual night out.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The onboard 6-watt speaker delivered good enough quality for casual use and is loud enough for a small to medium-sized family room.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are plenty of roles available if Harry wants to work inside Disneyland or Disney California Adventure as a cast member, Disney parlance for employees.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
-
In the parlance of the AI field, the emotional states are linear directions.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colloquial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colloquial. Accessed 11 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share