language

noun

ˈlaŋ-gwij How to pronounce language (audio)
Definition of languagenext
1
as in vocabulary
the stock of words, pronunciation, and grammar used by a people as their basic means of communication Great Britain, the United States, Australia, and other countries where English is the dominant language

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in terminology
the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field "love" means "nothing" in the language of tennis

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in diction
the way in which something is put into words we're finding the language of the legal documents to be tough going

Synonyms & Similar 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 language After graduating, he was hired as a reporter for Manoto, a Persian-language television channel based in London that, at the time, was one of the most-watched in Iran. — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026 The language surrounding the change encourages that interpretation. — Stefanie Waldek, Space.com, 24 Aug. 2026 Carney said the disagreement over French language rules for American companies amounted to an attack on Canada’s culture and identity. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026 The sticking points were both economic and cultural, with Quebec’s French-language laws even coming under attack. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for language
Recent Examples of Synonyms for language
  1. vocabulary
  2. terminology
  3. diction
  4. tongue
  5. dialect
  6. wording
  7. idiom
  8. slang
Noun
  • Cantonese uses different grammar than Mandarin, as well as different vocabulary, particularly in the city of Hong Kong, where speakers often switch between English and Cantonese words, sometimes in the same sentence.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Ruby Hobbs-Leffler felt things with an intensity that even a smart little girl with a big vocabulary couldn’t put into words.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of vocabulary
Noun
  • When officials disagree, even if legitimate based on terminology, the general public can interpret that disagreement as evidence that officials do not have a solid understanding of the outbreak.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • But there’s an interesting conundrum that arises from the terminology itself.
    — Jennifer Donnelly, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of terminology
Noun
  • Touma said that, not unlike today, access to education and wealth often affected one's diction and vocabulary.
    — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Regrettably, even after all this time living here, my bride never fails to seize the opportunity to suggest my diction is something less than poifect.
    — Irv Erdos, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of diction
Noun
  • And researchers have also identified disparities in diagnoses, with a recent study indicating men were more likely than women to be diagnosed at a later stage for 20 types of cancer — including stomach, lung, tongue and some throat cancers.
    — Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2026
  • According to the listing, the interior has wood floors, tongue-and-groove knotty pine accents, granite countertops, Lutron lighting controls and two gas fireplaces.
    — Brendel Clark, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of tongue
Noun
  • With so many speakers in different places, Spanish has developed ten different main dialects.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Others argued that the characters should be speaking with Greek accents or even in an ancient Greek dialect to honor the source material’s roots in Greek mythology.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of dialect
Noun
  • Analysts suggest this may reflect that as the Fed gradually downplays forward guidance, market sensitivity to Fed wording—as well as the Fed's overall influence over markets—could be waning.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • This includes interpreting standing rules and precedents, advising on the wording of motions, helping formulate statements, and answering parliamentary inquiries or points of order.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of wording
Noun
  • There are plenty of idioms to describe Andrean outside hitter Aleece Ehler’s freshman season.
    — Noah Poser, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The Dodgers acquired Skubal in an abundantly predictable bombshell trade with the Detroit Tigers in exchange for a trio of prospects, wanting to test the idiom that a ballclub can never have enough pitching.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of idiom
Noun
  • Young artists like the members of the Chilean boy band Q_ARE are fusing these elements with Latin music styles, Spanish and English lyrics and Chilean slang to pioneer a uniquely Latino pop subgenre.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The latest slang to capture the Gen Z zeitgeist is a way to say poser, try-hard or fraud.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of slang

Phrases Containing language

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Cite this Entry

“Language.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/language. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on language

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about language

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