unbookish

adjective

ˌən-ˈbu̇-kish How to pronounce unbookish (audio)
Definition of unbookishnext
as in colloquial
used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing a refreshingly unbookish talk on how dictionaries get made

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbookish
  1. colloquial
  2. vernacular
  3. informal
Adjective
  • Silent sleep apnea is a colloquial term for the form of the condition that occurs without the loud, disruptive snoring most people associate with it.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Wilson’s translation has come under fire for her decision to render Homeric Greek into a direct, colloquial English.
    — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of colloquial
Adjective
  • Screenplay credits are shared by Damodaran, Joses Imona, and Jennifer Litau, with Litau also handling Tok Pisin and vernacular-language translation duties.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Compiled in 1964 by Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman, this four-LP, 83-track box set was intended as an accessible survey of the roots and branches of American vernacular music.
    — Ted Olson, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of vernacular
Adjective
  • The informal miners go into the mines to look for leftover deposits to sell.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Lionsgate, home to Rambo, The Hunger Games, and John Wick, has been fielding informal interest for some time, Semafor reported earlier this year, as activists eye the potential takeover target.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of informal
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.

Browse Nearby Words

unbolts
unbookish
unborn
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Cite this Entry

“Unbookish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbookish. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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