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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conversational
having the style and content of everyday conversation
a colloquial essay on what makes a marriage successful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in colloquialism
Related Words
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 colloquial
Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 25 Nov. 2025
Through it all, the specifically colloquial quality of the dialogue and the delivery of the vivacious voice cast preserves the film’s Mexican identity.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
The language is colloquial, down-to-earth.
—Andrew Rojecki, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
But unlike the evolution of colloquial language, which is largely arbitrary, the evolution of scientific terms must reflect our current understanding of reality.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Adjective
The rest of the book is spent expanding on these maxims one by one, in her colloquial, easy style, with references to classic psychological studies, her own research and her own experiences.
—Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 25 Nov. 2025
Through it all, the specifically colloquial quality of the dialogue and the delivery of the vivacious voice cast preserves the film’s Mexican identity.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
The language is colloquial, down-to-earth.
—Andrew Rojecki, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
But unlike the evolution of colloquial language, which is largely arbitrary, the evolution of scientific terms must reflect our current understanding of reality.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colloquial
Adjective
-
Built between 1929 and 1938, the residence reflects Plunkett’s mastery of California vernacular architecture.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The rooms Guest rooms and suites have been nearly completely redone, corner to corner, and brought into a modern design vernacular.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Infotainment systems will become genuinely conversational, much like Alexa.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The company argues that by combining conversational AI with structured evaluation, dating apps can move closer to how people actually build relationships in real life.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Her vetting crusades have brought about a new Washington colloquialism.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The show chugged along nonetheless, gradually attracting fans who adored its stark cinematography and weirdo colloquialisms.—
Claire McNear,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Nearly two dozen European football association heads held informal talks in Budapest last week to discuss their participation in the World Cup.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
But they were still politically left behind, among the millions of informal squatters who lived in Manila without owning any of it.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The contemporary influencer uses digital tools, but the underlying logic and space is familiar –the home, community, credibility, and peer-to-peer exchange remain central to how products circulate and how value is created.—
Paula de la Cruz,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
For decades, scientists have attributed these pulses of life to familiar forces – sunlight, winds, and ocean circulation.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Created in 1947, the Doomsday Clock was created to convey threats to humanity and the Earth using the imagery of apocalypse (midnight) and the contemporary idiom of nuclear explosion (countdown to zero).—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
-
There’s this Douglas Adams joke that in no language is there the idiom as pretty as an airport.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The restaurant employs roughly 80 people and has long been known for its casual atmosphere and accessibility in a town increasingly defined by high-end shops and restaurants.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Marvel's first series for Disney+ proved to be a home run, for long-term MCU fans and casual viewers alike.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the parlance of the AI field, the emotional states are linear directions.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
During her campaign, Spanberger highlighted her background as a CIA case officer − known in public parlance as a spy.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Colloquial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colloquial. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
