colloquialism

noun

col·​lo·​qui·​al·​ism kə-ˈlō-kwē-ə-ˌli-zəm 

1

a

: a colloquial expression

"Chicken out" is a colloquialism for "to lose one's nerve."

b

: a local or regional dialect expression

"Bodacious" originated as a Southern colloquialism.

2

: colloquial style

the appeal of the author's colloquialism

Examples of colloquialism in a Sentence

His English is very good, but he has trouble understanding certain colloquialisms.

Recent Examples on the Web

There is even a colloquialism for those who curry favor among the moneyed on the island of Palm Beach. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025

It’s been a year of chaos and colloquialisms, as the internet shaped not only our vocabulary but our entire political system. —Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 2 Jan. 2025

And, like any colloquialism popularized by an internet trend, celebs, brands and even the president himself cashed in on the sensation. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024

Kam understood the regional colloquialism assignment! —Cindi Andrews and Katie Wissman, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see colloquy

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

colloquialism

noun

col·​lo·​qui·​al·​ism kə-ˈlō-kwē-ə-ˌliz-əm 

1

: a colloquial expression

2

: colloquial style