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
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Recent Examples of colloquial
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
The rest of the book is spent expanding on these maxims one by one, in her colloquial, easy style, with references to classic psychological studies, her own research and her own experiences.
—Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 25 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Adjective
In Hong Kong, for instance, most people speak Cantonese, an informal and colloquial language that has its own version of a gender-neutral pronoun – lessening the demand for a new character, said Wan, of rights group Gender Empowerment.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
The rest of the book is spent expanding on these maxims one by one, in her colloquial, easy style, with references to classic psychological studies, her own research and her own experiences.
—Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 25 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colloquial
Adjective
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Some authors of quasi-impossible books like Nabokov (Ada, or Ardor), Pynchon (Gravity’s Rainbow) and Wallace (Infinite Jest) nevertheless manage to write unfailingly entertaining sentences that never lose a certain vernacular crackle, and that are often funny.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Poverty pimp entered the vernacular as shorthand for a nonprofit leader who became expert at accessing federal money while deflecting oversight demands as anti-poor.—
Stephen Eide,
The Atlantic,
2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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By shifting from static size charts to dynamic, conversational guidance, True Fit aims to reduce returns by billions of dollars while increasing conversion rates and consumer confidence.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Feb. 2026
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As Derya and Aziz’s hypocrisies, as upper-class intellectuals, are increasingly brought to the fore, Namal and Biçer’s conversational performances grow haggard and strained.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Her vetting crusades have brought about a new Washington colloquialism.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The show chugged along nonetheless, gradually attracting fans who adored its stark cinematography and weirdo colloquialisms.—
Claire McNear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Political interference, informal blacklists of filmmakers, and public attacks on artists have become systemic.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Guests will encounter Alice, enjoy boutique shopping, and indulge in teas, pastries, tea sandwiches, champagne, live music, and informal modeling.—
Dawn Giangiulio,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Super Bowl Sunday will bring watch parties with overflowing snack tables and a familiar lineup of wings, chips and dip.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
This moment marks the transition from familiar to unpredictable.—
Micki Meyer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those books introduced me to a vision of American teenage life and taught me the rhythms and idioms of American English, nuances that would later replace my Britishisms and shape my career as a journalist.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Next to the particularities of place—the Midwest, the South—or enmeshed with it, are the particularities of language, of idiom, and ways of saying.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But as serious news outlets have increasingly concentrated on the high end, a downmarket digital ecosystem for financial information has emerged for casual investors and day traders.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
After 40 years beachside (and gaining a casual, semi-riotous rep for all the day-drinking amid the sand and surf), the Independent Spirit Awards has shacked up at the Hollywood Palladium.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In its latest initiative, Berlin’s legendary Kino Babylon will host a showcase of recent notable titles from the Guadalajara Festival, FICG in popular parlance, and headed from 2019 by Estrella Araiza.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
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It was once said, for instance, that Disney’s cast members — staff, in park parlance — would be able to recognize if someone’s personality leaned resistance, First Order or rogue.—
Todd Martens,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Colloquial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colloquial. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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