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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of colloquial
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
There was something about Mecano’s language: it was spoken, colloquial, very Eighties, and unafraid to just say things.
—Vita Dadoo, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
Because back nine is close to backside, and backside is just far too colloquial.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Russ Scholl, a ski instructor at Breckenridge Ski Resort, has published a 133-square grid of funky colloquial phrases for different types of snow.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Noun
The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope Trollope is a more colloquial writer.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
There was something about Mecano’s language: it was spoken, colloquial, very Eighties, and unafraid to just say things.
—Vita Dadoo, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
Because back nine is close to backside, and backside is just far too colloquial.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Russ Scholl, a ski instructor at Breckenridge Ski Resort, has published a 133-square grid of funky colloquial phrases for different types of snow.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colloquial
Adjective
-
Instead, the architecture of the city was part of my vernacular.—
Caitlin Woolsey,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
-
The undeniable stars are the curvaceous treehouses inspired by the endangered pangolins—the unusual, organic shape sets it apart from the typical tropical villa vernacular.—
Kissa Castaneda,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
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This could involve helping systems learn colloquialisms and proper usages of terms.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Mar. 2025
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You would be forgiven for assuming this a playful colloquialism, perhaps revealing a tenderness to the hunt.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Too informal with answers and language The team acknowledges that Gen Z’s use of slang is one of their defining traits.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
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As Home Depot spread across America beginning in the 1980s, an informal economy of day laborers looking for work, mostly from Mexico and South America, grew around the company’s sprawling parking lots in cities and suburbs with large immigrant populations.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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The Blackpink superstar joined the F1 soundtrack, which is packed with familiar musicians across a variety of genres.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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Maybe there just isn’t a new audience for Star Trek at this point, and the best Paramount can do is to keep leaning on familiar characters and situations that will please the current fan base.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
15 July 2025
Noun
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To quote a homespun idiom, there are different horses for different courses.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
23 July 2025
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Especially in multilingual markets, users frequently mix languages and use non-standard grammar, local idioms, creative spelling and hybrid sentence structures.—
Alessa Cross,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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Guests can choose from a variety of pastries and breakfast foods, coffee and more to keep things casual, or order from their selection of cocktails and wine.—
Ramal Nasim
July 25,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
-
Popups and its popular Sunday Suppers offer another avenue for more casual dining.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
25 July 2025
Noun
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But nobody was quite prepared for what a bombshell, to use the show’s parlance, season seven would turn out to be.—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vulture,
14 July 2025
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In the parlance of the United Nations, it is somewhat expected to call for a Framework Convention on significant topics.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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And that gossipy nature that Berger captured appears to be accurate in tone: Vatican insiders have been leaking anonymous attacks against rivals to the Roman press, while some top contenders have suddenly been linked to abuse cases.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
7 May 2025
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Reading back over her sister’s occasionally gossipy letters, maybe Cassie thought those qualities were just too dangerous to reveal publicly.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colloquial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colloquial. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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