Colloquial

/kəˈloʊ.kwi.əl/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary.

His use of colloquial expressions made the conversation feel more relaxed and friendly.

Characteristic of or appropriate to the spoken language or to informal writing.

The novel’s colloquial style made it accessible to a wider audience.

Related to a particular region or group of people.

She often used regional colloquial terms that were unfamiliar to outsiders.

From Latin 'colloquialis', from 'colloquium', meaning 'conversation'.

colloquial expressions

Informal phrases commonly used in spoken language.

colloquially speaking

In casual language; informally.

vernacular

The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.

slang

Informal language, often specific to a particular group.

Chit-chat

We were just having some chit-chat about weekend plans.

Street lingo

He speaks in street lingo that some people might not understand.