Thesaurus results for COLLOQUIALISM

colloquialism

noun

Definition of colloquialism

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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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

Noun

The reality, of course, is that the Southern accent is not some incorrect version of a national standard but instead a historically separate and unique dialect – or, more accurately, set of dialects.

— Valerie M. Fridland, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
The conflicts are raw and unresolved, and Churchill forces theatergoers to make up their own minds about the characters’ furious dialect.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of dialect

Noun

But, unlike Felker and Bryan, the two don’t share a language or approach.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
Brian Romick, the president of Democratic Majority for Israel, put out an issue framework last month in an attempt to move the conversation from the language to the actual policy.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of language

Noun

Over the decades, though, Reich’s idiom has become part of the mainstream.

— Joshua Barone, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of idiom

Noun

Clean, high quality neutral linens do more work than almost any other upgrade, borrowing from the vocabulary of luxury interior design without the price tag.

— Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
Name what is happening and create a common vocabulary for the ecosystem.

— Bob Pearson, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of vocabulary

Noun

There’s a level of seriousness that belies the 90-minute comedy film he’s made, which features an imbecilic white rapper who speaks in Caribbean-British slang and a contraption that shoots bullets out of one’s rear end.

— Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of slang

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colloquial

colloquialism

colloquialisms

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“Colloquialism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colloquialism. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of colloquialism

noun

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