colloquialism

noun

Definition of colloquialismnext
as in dialect
a word or phrase that is used mostly in informal speech; a colloquial expression His English is very good, but he has trouble understanding certain colloquialisms.

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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 colloquialism Gestures, colloquialisms, facial expressions, local cuisine, and the like are not incidental to a tongue but constitute it; sometimes, to capture a word or phrase, in writing or in an algorithm, is to stamp out its meaning. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025 This could involve helping systems learn colloquialisms and proper usages of terms. — Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025 You would be forgiven for assuming this a playful colloquialism, perhaps revealing a tenderness to the hunt. — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 While Niles’ lack of dialogue and his comedic chops can translate well and lead to worldwide exposure, a character whose appeal depends on English-language jokes and colloquialisms is harder to export. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for colloquialism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colloquialism
  1. dialect
  2. terminology
  3. language
  4. idiom
  5. vocabulary
  6. slang
Noun
  • Documenting many varieties is a way to not just share the language, but to illustrate how dialects of Pennsylvania Dutch differ and maybe even fill in each other’s gaps.
    — Eythana Miller, The Dial, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Italy is a unique country where every city has its own identity, architecture, traditions, flavors, dialects and even different ways of life.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of dialect
Noun
  • For specialized work, Voibe includes Developer Mode and custom vocabulary for coding and technical terminology.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Across the country, states use different terminology to refer to these facilities.
    — Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of terminology
Noun
  • The administration’s language would establish a range of mandatory minimum sentences based on the amount of loss involved in fraud schemes, according to the document.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In 2025, the first chime of bells from a mountain pavilion at dawn, accompanied by a gentle morning greeting, creates a space where each collection is experienced independently and explores the versatile expressions of Songmont’s design language.
    — Footwear News, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • The first Velvet Underground album, the mid-period Beatles, Kinks, and Creedence Clearwater Revival records, with enough time, seem almost like different components to the same idiom.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Cinema is, after all, a language, and Belgian filmmakers come from a country built on the need to understand language as a bridge—between its regions, its people, and its idioms.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of idiom
Noun
  • Prada presented the skirt as a vocabulary, demonstrating the infinite possibilities that can emerge from an archetypal garment.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The setup is surely familiar to teachers of English as a second language all over the world, but the choice of vocabulary is a bit different from your typical classroom.
    — Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of vocabulary
Noun
  • McCaffrey and the 49ers will return to the United States after their win and lesson in Australian slang to play the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The script itself is filled with the language of its time and place, including Berliner gutter slang and high-society clichés, casino speech and capitalist jargon, spoken Yiddish and literary German.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of slang

Browse Nearby Words

colloquial
colloquialism
colloquialisms
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Cite this Entry

“Colloquialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colloquialism. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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