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 The show chugged along nonetheless, gradually attracting fans who adored its stark cinematography and weirdo colloquialisms. — Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025 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 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
  • Silvio Carta’s Giniu Gin takes its name from the Sardinian word for juniper, placing both the plant and the island dialect at the center of the product’s identity.
    — Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Rusyn, which enjoys protected minority-language status in Slovakia and Poland, is treated within Ukraine as a mere dialect.
    — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of dialect
Noun
  • Social media users poked fun at the original intent by applying maxxing terminology to all kinds of other things.
    — Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • The war on language is more metaphysical than just the policing of proper social justice terminology, Williams argues.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Definition of terminology
Noun
  • New and upcoming titles under the deal will carry English subtitles and dubbing in the Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 July 2026
  • Translators still have steady work years after computer translation approached human parity, because there is no ceiling on what can be translated or into how many languages.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 July 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • Holden Caulfield is made to tell his own story, in his own strange idiom.
    — Book Marks, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
  • Please put on your batteries — a Mexican Spanish idiom that means to cowboy up.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of idiom
Noun
  • The vocabulary may become more sophisticated, the sentences more polished, but the person slowly disappears.
    — Dr. Liz Doe Stone, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The campaign lands at a moment when terms such as valuation, burn rate and EBITDA have become everyday vocabulary.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 July 2026
Definition of vocabulary
Noun
  • Kerr, for example, questioned Valdez’s command of English given his use of Caló, a culturally specific dialect that blends Mexican Spanish slang with English.
    — Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
  • Their influence stretched beyond music into fashion, dance trends and slang, and as member Pimpin' noted, fans are still doing the group's signature dance more than two decades later, something a SeaWorld whale recently proved.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 23 June 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 29 Jul. 2026.

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