idioms

plural of idiom
as in phrases
a sequence of words having a specific meaning the English idiom "how are you doing?" is our version of a greeting that in some other languages can be translated as "how are you going?"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 idioms These systems can interpret regional slang, idioms and context-specific expressions, hence minimizing both over-censorship and under-enforcement. Anees Ali Khan, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025 Allusions to myths, fables, and riffs on common idioms abound, many of them evocative and quite funny. Lora Kelley, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idioms
phrases
Noun
  • The employee's actions appeared to be intended for amusement, with the chatbot programmed to read the phrases back in an accent.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Include the bridge phrases that make these reframes land without resistance.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Idioms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idioms. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on idioms

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!