1
as in vernacular
used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing
the new coworker's rudeness soon began—to use a colloquial expression—to rub me the wrong way
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conversational
having the style and content of everyday conversation
a colloquial essay on what makes a marriage successful
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in colloquialism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of colloquial
Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 3 Jan. 2025
From 1948 to 1972, Waugh served as an Army paratrooper and Green Beret, the colloquial name for Special Forces soldiers.
—Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 18 Dec. 2024
The variance between the two is sizeable, necessitating the need to distinguish one from the other and combat the colloquial shorthand traditionally used to conjure one with the other.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
These posts range from theological breakdowns to translating scriptures in colloquial GenZ language, visualizing Bible stories through AI technologies, and customizing bible covers.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Adjective
To push the colloquial gold envelope even further, Swift added a chain belt.
—Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 3 Jan. 2025
From 1948 to 1972, Waugh served as an Army paratrooper and Green Beret, the colloquial name for Special Forces soldiers.
—Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 18 Dec. 2024
The variance between the two is sizeable, necessitating the need to distinguish one from the other and combat the colloquial shorthand traditionally used to conjure one with the other.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
These posts range from theological breakdowns to translating scriptures in colloquial GenZ language, visualizing Bible stories through AI technologies, and customizing bible covers.
—Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colloquial
Adjective
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The new cast for Reacher Season 3 includes Sonya Cassidy as Susan Duffy, who brings a no-nonsense and very blunt East Coast vernacular to the role of DEA Agent Susan Duffy.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
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Editors’ Picks How a Lady Gaga Impersonator Spends Sundays Out went Latin, replaced with the vernacular — the faithful would worship in their own languages.—
Mary Jo McConahay,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This could involve helping systems learn colloquialisms and proper usages of terms.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Mar. 2025
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You would be forgiven for assuming this a playful colloquialism, perhaps revealing a tenderness to the hunt.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This could range from formal presentations to informal conversations, emails or even social media within the company, depending on your audience and the nature of your message.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Wood floors, woven baskets, and breezy curtains introduce informal textures to the lush blend.—
Emily Williams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The president's order will direct McMahon to take all necessary steps permitted by law to dissolve department, according to the sources familiar.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2025
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Sanchez went on to deliver his familiar mixed bag of erratic distribution and impressive saves at the Emirates Stadium.—
Liam Twomey,
The Athletic,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There is a French idiom that says when something is so easy, it can be done with ‘les doigts dans le nez’ — the fingers in the nose.—
Liam Tharme,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
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While often used sarcastically to mock true believers, the idiom reflects Italy’s enduring ambiguity toward Fascism, even 80 years after its fall.—
Mattia Ferraresi,
airmail.news,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Transaction gaming dropped 6%, while casual and free-to-play gaming grew 16%.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
27 Mar. 2025
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His pursuit of Gretzky has captured the attention of many casual hockey fans, helping with tune-in for the NHL.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Brisk, truncated treatments are normally the parlance of pop mavens whose freshness dates rapidly expire and who seek to hide deficiencies.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
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Kathy Webster, Littleton Mark of a caring nation DEI is common parlance.—
DP Opinion,
The Denver Post,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Tom Hollander stars as Truman Capote, who manages to scandalize the entire Manhattan social scene by writing a viciously gossipy novel about them.—
Katie Rife,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
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The four movies do not feel like traditional Oscar favorites, though A Complete Unknown (a music biopic about Bob Dylan) and Conclave (a gossipy drama about the selection of a new pope) come closest.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Colloquial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colloquial. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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