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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in colloquialism
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of colloquial
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
There was something about Mecano’s language: it was spoken, colloquial, very Eighties, and unafraid to just say things.
—Vita Dadoo, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
Because back nine is close to backside, and backside is just far too colloquial.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Russ Scholl, a ski instructor at Breckenridge Ski Resort, has published a 133-square grid of funky colloquial phrases for different types of snow.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Noun
The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope Trollope is a more colloquial writer.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 May 2025
There was something about Mecano’s language: it was spoken, colloquial, very Eighties, and unafraid to just say things.
—Vita Dadoo, Rolling Stone, 15 May 2025
Because back nine is close to backside, and backside is just far too colloquial.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Russ Scholl, a ski instructor at Breckenridge Ski Resort, has published a 133-square grid of funky colloquial phrases for different types of snow.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colloquial
Adjective
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The undeniable stars are the curvaceous treehouses inspired by the endangered pangolins—the unusual, organic shape sets it apart from the typical tropical villa vernacular.—
Kissa Castaneda,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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That style of neighborhood development — gradually over time, rather than building to completion all at once — also happens to be the secret to creating places with a visually appealing vernacular character, Romem said.—
Marina Bolotnikova,
Vox,
7 July 2025
Noun
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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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Too informal with answers and language The team acknowledges that Gen Z’s use of slang is one of their defining traits.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
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As Home Depot spread across America beginning in the 1980s, an informal economy of day laborers looking for work, mostly from Mexico and South America, grew around the company’s sprawling parking lots in cities and suburbs with large immigrant populations.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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The Blackpink superstar joined the F1 soundtrack, which is packed with familiar musicians across a variety of genres.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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As more travelers arrive, so do the familiar questions about how to grow tourism without diluting what makes a place special.—
Susmita Baral,
Travel + Leisure,
15 July 2025
Noun
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Overall, the impression the car imparts is decidedly futuristic, and the design idiom certainly aligns with other recent luxurious EV concepts, such as those unveiled by Jaguar, Mercedes, and Genesis, as well as production vehicles such as the Tesla Cybertruck.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
8 July 2025
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By the time these terms get into the mainstream, new ones have already appeared, although some (such as to dig or cool) remain staples of the idiom despite wide non-Negro use.—
Benjamin Hale
June 23,
Literary Hub,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Corrie and Shuai Wang, owners of North Charleston’s popular Jackrabbit Filly, opened King BBQ in a casual diner-style space in late 2023.—
Lauren Mowery,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
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Visitors have their pick of food options, including coastal cuisine, farm-to-table meals, and casual spots with live music.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Comparing prices per unit In supermarket parlance, unit price is what a product costs per ounce or pound or liter.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
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Or in the old school negotiating parlance: leverage.—
Matt Hayes,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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And that gossipy nature that Berger captured appears to be accurate in tone: Vatican insiders have been leaking anonymous attacks against rivals to the Roman press, while some top contenders have suddenly been linked to abuse cases.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
7 May 2025
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Reading back over her sister’s occasionally gossipy letters, maybe Cassie thought those qualities were just too dangerous to reveal publicly.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colloquial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colloquial. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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