as in colloquial
used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing
writes essays in a very easy-to-read, vernacular style
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in idiom
Related Words
2
as in binomial
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of vernacular
Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
The design once enjoyed by Javanese nobility references the sacred Javanese architectural vernacular style of saka guru, which represents the cardinal directions and has spiritual significance too.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Nancy Cutler, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The Walther Collection is incredibly wide-ranging, and features ninth- and twentieth-century vernacular photographs from the United States, Europe, Colombia, and Mexico; as well as modern and contemporary art from Japan, Germany and other places.
—News Desk, Artforum, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vernacular
Adjective
Language, Chandler protests, lives and flourishes in bent rules, vernacular expressions—the unruly stuff of life.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
The design once enjoyed by Javanese nobility references the sacred Javanese architectural vernacular style of saka guru, which represents the cardinal directions and has spiritual significance too.
—Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
AmEx changes the American lexicon American Express invested a lot in its marketing and advertising — many campaigns became award-winning industry standouts — and many have become part of the American vernacular.
—Nancy Cutler, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The Walther Collection is incredibly wide-ranging, and features ninth- and twentieth-century vernacular photographs from the United States, Europe, Colombia, and Mexico; as well as modern and contemporary art from Japan, Germany and other places.
—News Desk, Artforum, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for vernacular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vernacular
Adjective
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Their language — marked by rich, tactile detail and a colloquial urgency — has quietly shaped how generations of songwriters articulate devotion.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Although tabloid journalism tends not to focus on issues with broad socioeconomic impact, when these issues are covered audiences may relate to them more easily because they are discussed in colloquial, accessible language.—
Shepherd Mpofu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Buildings—a contemporary, fluid interpretation of the Cretan idiom by Pieris.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Like the idiom, their coffee shop hopes to bring surprising offerings to the coffee scene.—
Jenna Thompson
April 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There was no third option in this binomial exercise.—
Chantel Jennings,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
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She is credited with naming and cataloging hundreds of native plants in the Hudson River Valley using Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus’ then-new binomial system of botanical nomenclature.—
Jessica Damiano,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Mar. 2024
Noun
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The exhibit’s title is derived from a Spanish colloquialism.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
13 Feb. 2026
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Ways to learn a new language Apps are a good way to learn the basics and proper pronunciation, but many colloquialisms, abbreviations and grammatically informal expressions used by fluent or native speakers aren’t taught on apps or in language classes.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Even the name is a misnomer, Mackey said, since the same pain can arise among women who’ve had other procedures, including lumpectomies and lymph node surgeries.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
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Even the name is a misnomer, Mackey said, since the same pain can arise among women who’ve had other procedures, including lumpectomies and lymph node surgeries.—
Brett Kelman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In film parlance, this would be a spoiler.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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Or in Cowboys parlance, think Darren Woodson.—
Bill Jones,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This tequila was distilled at the Arette distillery, which also produces tequila released under that eponymous brand name.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
4 May 2026
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Here are people who appreciate good design—not because of a brand name or how bold something is—but because of its story, craft, and construction.—
Pernille Teisbaek,
Vogue,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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To qualify as critical regionalism, contemporary architecture had to use traditional tropes and local materials in unfamiliar variations, refuse to treat a site as just another blank slate, and use structure in an expressive way, visibly connected to a building’s purpose.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
28 Jan. 2026
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Just don’t let the deniers know that regionalism and sustainability are essentially one and the same.—
Richard Olsen,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Vernacular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vernacular. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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