as in dialect
the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field
the medical patois that the hospital staffers used among themselves was incomprehensible to me
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 patois
And so there’s West Indian patois and language and music and food.
—
Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025
There are countless examples like these, in which English scaffolding has adapted to the demands and the cultural heritage of its speakers, from Jamaican patois to Tok Pisin, of New Guinea.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Instead, viewers are immersed in Millie’s Kingston, with dialogue spoken almost entirely in Jamaican patois, where opportunities are limited, gang violence persists and whiteness is still put on a pedestal.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 Nov. 2024
Casting themselves as high priests of pop culture, the duo encapsulated gay-millennial preoccupations and patois.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for patois
Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025
There are countless examples like these, in which English scaffolding has adapted to the demands and the cultural heritage of its speakers, from Jamaican patois to Tok Pisin, of New Guinea.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Instead, viewers are immersed in Millie’s Kingston, with dialogue spoken almost entirely in Jamaican patois, where opportunities are limited, gang violence persists and whiteness is still put on a pedestal.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 Nov. 2024
Casting themselves as high priests of pop culture, the duo encapsulated gay-millennial preoccupations and patois.
—Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for patois
Recent Examples of Synonyms for patois
Noun
-
Applications are now open to educators worldwide currently teaching kindergarten through high school in a public, private or charter school, who speak Spanish, Portuguese, English or any native dialect.—
Griselda Flores,
Billboard,
28 June 2025
-
With Scottish writer George Blake’s novel, The Shipbuilders, language and dialect were tamed thanks to Sylvia’s views.—
Nicola Wilson
June 26,
Literary Hub,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Automated transcription tools may struggle with accuracy, particularly in disciplines with specialized terminology or nuanced language.—
Beth Worthy,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
Jane says 'cuckold' is a 'spot-on' description for Diddy Geragos asked about Jane researching lifestyle terminology that could help define their relationship in 2022.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
10 June 2025
Noun
-
Jones relies on a dance vocabulary, evolved from Balanchine, for the five women, each of whom is a muse, as well as the male Mortal employed for a final pas de deux.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
-
Each brand employs a strikingly similar aesthetic vocabulary: muted color palettes dominated by whites, blacks, and earth tones; sans-serif typography that suggests clinical precision; and packaging that prioritizes geometric simplicity over ornamental flourish.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
Prevost, who was co-valedictorian and yearbook editor among other accolades, had a reputation for being a good person to turn to for help with homework, especially math or languages.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
1 July 2025
-
The removal of the language in the final Senate bill is a welcome relief, confirming that entity type should not dictate whether state and local taxes are deductible.—
Lynn Mucenski Keck,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
That word first exploded onto the scene in World War II Britain as Royal Air Force slang for a bomb of enough penetrating power to shatterwhole blocks of homes and pavements.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
-
The second effort brought in 11 local partners (small, medium and large businesses) who offered practical advice on how to responsibly enjoy beaches, forests, and even Puerto Rican slang.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Patois.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/patois. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share