colloquial

adjective

col·​lo·​qui·​al kə-ˈlō-kwē-əl 

1

a

: used in or characteristic of familiar and informal conversation

In colloquial English, "kind of" is often used for "somewhat" or "rather."

also : unacceptably informal

b

: using conversational style

a colloquial writer

2

: of or relating to conversation : conversational

colloquial expressions

colloquial noun

colloquiality

kə-ˌlō-kwē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

colloquially

kə-ˈlō-kwē-ə-lē 

adverb

Did you know?

The noun colloquy was first used in English to refer to a conversation or dialogue, and when the adjective colloquial was formed from colloquy it had a similar focus. Over time, however, colloquial developed a more specific meaning related to language that is most suited to informal conversation—and it ultimately garnered an additional, disparaging implication of a style that seems too informal for a situation. Colloquy and colloquial trace back to the Latin verb colloqui, meaning "to converse." Colloqui in turn was formed by combining the prefix com- ("with") and loqui ("to speak"). Other conversational descendants of loqui in English include circumlocution, eloquent, loquacious, soliloquy, and ventriloquism.

Synonyms

• conversational
• informal
• nonformal
• nonliterary
• unbookish
• unliterary
• vernacular
• vulgar

Examples of colloquial in a Sentence

But I think part of this pickle that we're in—if I may be colloquial, even though I'm not running for office—is that we've lost their sense of responsibility. —Sarah Vowell, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2008

Langston was the merriest and the most colloquial of them all. "Best party I've ever been given!" he said. —Gwendolyn Brooks, Booklist, 15 Oct. 1993

Mr. Salisbury's firsthand account is written in a fast-paced, chaotic and colloquial style, which often feels confused and hastily set down. —Susan Shapiro, New York Times Book Review, 10 Sept. 1989

Although in the circle of his friends, where he might be unreserved with safety, he took a free share in conversation, his colloquial talents were not above mediocrity, possessing neither copiousness of ideas, nor fluency of words. —Thomas Jefferson, letter, 2 Jan. 1814

the new coworker's rudeness soon began—to use a colloquial expression—to rub me the wrong way

a colloquial essay on what makes a marriage successful

Recent Examples on the Web

The oceanic pole of inaccessibility goes by a more colloquial name: Point Nemo. —Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2024

The term shart is a colloquial reference for a wet fart, or when watery stool accidentally slips out while passing gas. —Cristina Mutchler, Health, 6 Oct. 2024

Some of those species can turn up in bouillabaisse, added to the soup as an ingredient with the colloquial name of gurnard. —Gary Stix, Scientific American, 26 Sep. 2024

In New York City, where people move very quickly, there’s a colloquial expression that timing is everything. —Gary Stern, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see colloquy

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

colloquial

adjective

col·​lo·​qui·​al kə-ˈlō-kwē-əl 

1

: used in or suited to familiar and informal conversation

a colloquial word

2

: using conversational style

a colloquial writer

colloquially

-kwē-ə-lē 

adverb