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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in colloquialism
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of colloquial
George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Noun
So what follows is the colloquial Q&A, more or less unedited, from my email exchange with that reporter.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colloquial
Adjective
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The musical tastes and vernacular of Abbie and Leila also come from that era of Martin's life.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 July 2025
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There are terms of affection for groups of players like the Busby Babes or Fergie’s Fledglings, but these were coined and used by journalists and not used in everyday vernacular.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
30 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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After training, the men act as peer educators, visiting homes and hosting informal talks.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Aug. 2025
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Male Alzheimer’s caregivers group: The Men’s Breakfast Club is an informal and unstructured gathering of male caregivers.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Grounded in a strong sense of place, powerful performances speak volumes without excess dialogue in an atmosphere both familiar and uncanny.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
23 Aug. 2025
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Instead, the text-only logo uses a new typeface against the familiar gold background.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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He’s been talking about replacing it with a permanent ballroom for a long time, in his usual Dictator Chic idiom.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
1 Aug. 2025
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This could be in Elsbeth’s usual light and fizzy idiom or perhaps a brief foray into Scandi-noir.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Papa hasn’t gone business casual yet, but his latest outfit is noticeably less restrictive.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
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Roots sells casual apparel, athletic gear and more, and while its headquarters is in Canada, its flagship store is in Michigan, where some Meijer stores operate.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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One part of this process, known in Senate parlance as reconciliation, provisions legislation being moved in this manner to increase the federal deficit beyond the next 10-year budget window.—
Andrea Ruth,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Aug. 2025
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In Wall Street parlance, the float refers to the number of shares available to the public.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Starring Parker alongside Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon as a quartet of gossipy New York City friends, the show garnered over fifty Primetime Emmy Nominations across its six seasons.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
17 Aug. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Colloquial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colloquial. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.
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