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 According to reports citing Kaspersky researchers, scammers have created versions in different languages. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026 These residents maintained traditions, languages and customs from home, and participated in civic institutions that helped foster community at the local level. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 17 Aug. 2026 AliExpress was launched in 2010 and is now available in over 200 countries and regions—in English and 15 other languages. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 17 Aug. 2026 In Tok Pisin, the country’s main language, the boy wrote to his parents seeking permission. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 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
  • The language is closely related to — but distinct from — German, with a heavy admixture of Hebrew and Aramaic vocabulary, Slavic grammar and other influences.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Sign languages are independent languages with their own grammar and vocabulary.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of vocabulary
Noun
  • In ordinary tax terminology, income, property, and estate taxes are often described as direct taxes, while sales, excise, and customs duties are generally characterized as indirect taxes.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The platform will allow students to learn circularity terminology, look at design-stage impact decisions, and explore realistic compliance scenarios.
    — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of terminology
Noun
  • 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
  • This was a lexicon both earthy and expansive, a diction vulgar and elevated, granular and capricious.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 July 2026
Definition of diction
Noun
  • But Jesus would always emerge out of the darkness again, and scoop out his tongue or sew up his mouth and eyes and then shoot him full of arrows.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Augmental says MouthPad is best suited for people over 18 who have enough tongue dexterity to operate it.
    — Jesse Watson , Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of tongue
Noun
  • Google says training across languages, dialects, and different proficiency levels helped the model learn structures shared between sign languages.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Outpouring of grief The sound of sobbing underlays chanting in dozens of dialects woven together in a single expression of sorrow for Imam Hussein and his companions and family, killed and taken captive in the defining event of Shia Islam.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of dialect
Noun
  • Its quincunx to Saturn in your 3rd House of Communication may make timing, wording, or facts especially important.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The wording led some of Hank’s followers to accuse him of using ChatGPT.
    — Matt Carlstrom, Vanity Fair, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of wording
Noun
  • The idiom and the small connecting words are all in the right places, and at this length that is hard to fake.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Holden Caulfield is made to tell his own story, in his own strange idiom.
    — Book Marks, Literary Hub, 16 July 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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laneways
language
languages
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Cite this Entry

“Language.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/language. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on language

Nglish: Translation of language for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about language

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