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
Jill Barton, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025
What is a Green Beret? Green Beret is the colloquial name used for members of the U.S. Army Special Forces.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025
Purple group — colloquial suffixes (CORE, GATE, MANIA, PILLED)
No perfect game, but that's nine wins in a row.
—Kris Holt, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
To push the colloquial gold envelope even further, Swift added a chain belt.
—Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Adjective
Gorsuch used his short opinion on the dry topic of debt collection to declare a more colloquial style.
—Jill Barton, The Conversation, 24 Jan. 2025
What is a Green Beret? Green Beret is the colloquial name used for members of the U.S. Army Special Forces.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025
Purple group — colloquial suffixes (CORE, GATE, MANIA, PILLED)
No perfect game, but that's nine wins in a row.
—Kris Holt, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
To push the colloquial gold envelope even further, Swift added a chain belt.
—Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colloquial
Adjective
-
Cardinal Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, was, in the vernacular, the real deal.—
Eli Amdur,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
This eye-catching merger of the vernacular and the global — winding its way into the pavilion with wooden flooring, shelving and displays — will host discussions, performances and, hopefully, more impromptu gatherings.—
Sam Lubell,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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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Though there was no official vote, an informal vote revealed the teams were split 16-16 on the matter, according to an individual in the room during deliberations.—
Tess DeMeyer,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
-
Employees who join a startup often thrive in fast-moving, informal environments, so when the company begins to scale, there’s often a fear of losing that agility.—
Lyuba Brouillard,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Some of this uncertainty is coming from familiar sources, and some from new developments.—
Amanda Tickel,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
-
Coined by leading hair stylist and trend forecaster Tom Smith, the new style is the evolution of the familiar Italian bob.—
Dominic Cadogan,
Glamour,
18 May 2025
Noun
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Powered by nine proprietary learning methods, the platform integrates real-time cultural signals - from memes and slang to idioms and ancient lore.—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
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But the nature of all idioms is that their meaning cannot be deduced from their components; the phrase kicked the bucket does not put the English speaker in the mind of an actual bucket, just as the word death does not remind him terribly of the letter D.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
Reviewers raved about its flattering fit and versatile styling—wear the pieces together with gold accessories, or mix in basics like a white tee or denim jacket for more casual looks.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
26 May 2025
-
Meetings become hyper-efficient, emails are brief, and the casual chatter that once filled in the gaps disappears.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
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The number of rocket launches has increased dramatically in recent years, leading pilots and academics to warn about a growing danger in the air for flights that have only minutes to get out of harm’s way when a mishap — as explosions and other failures are called in industry parlance — occurs.—
Heather Vogell,
ProPublica,
15 May 2025
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Grace, in contemporary internet parlance, often means forgiveness.—
Dorothy Fortenberry,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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In a world of algorithm game-playing and lyrics bundled with gossipy subtext, the band’s songs — which deftly blend garage rock and shoegaze — function as talismans affirming the importance of standing tall by your convictions.—
Sophie Williams,
Billboard,
1 May 2025
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There’s plenty of drama to go around — especially once gossipy talk show hosts, cruel vloggers and even campy drag queens join in on the action to tear its titular drama queens to shreds.—
Manuel Betancourt,
Variety,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colloquial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colloquial. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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