Synonyms of colloquial

colloquial 1 of 2

adjective

kə-ˈlō-kwē-əl 

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

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in conversational

having the style and content of everyday conversation

a colloquial essay on what makes a marriage successful

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conversational
• familiar
• casual
• informal
• gossipy
• newsy
• rambling
• chatty
• communicative
• intimate
• talkative
• chattery
• dishy
• discursive
• expansive
• digressive
• garrulous
• tell-all

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• literary
• formal
• solemn
• bookish
• dignified
• elevated
• stately
• ceremonious

colloquial

2 of 2

noun

as in colloquialism

Related Words

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of colloquial

Adjective

The phrase originated as a colloquial term and was used as early as 2008, according to Oxford University, but rose in popularity in 2014 after New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority launched a poster campaign targeting manspreading. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 27 May 2026

Spaar’s colloquial flippancies only reinforces her fervency. — Literary Hub, 1 May 2026

The women’s game’s limited coverage meant his other honours with Umea — reaching two more UEFA Cup finals and five domestic trophies — were appreciated on a more colloquial level. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 May 2026

Tabloid Journalism and Audiences Tabloid newspapers not only differ in size from broadsheet newspapers but in the way articles are written; tabloid articles are typically written in a colloquial and sensational style. — Shepherd Mpofu, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026

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