colloquial

[ kuh-loh-kwee-uhl ]

adjective

1. characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal.

   Antonyms: formal

2. involving or using conversation.

colloquial

/ kəˈləʊkwɪəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to conversation
2. denoting or characterized by informal or conversational idiom or vocabulary Compare informal

Derived Forms

• colˈloquialness, noun
• colˈloquially, adverb

Other Words From

• col·loqui·al·ly adverb
• col·loqui·al·ness col·loqui·ali·ty noun
• quasi-col·loqui·al adjective
• quasi-col·loqui·al·ly adverb
• semi·col·loqui·al adjective
• semi·col·loqui·al·ly adverb
• uncol·loqui·al adjective
• uncol·loqui·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of colloquial¹

First recorded in 1745–55; colloquy + -al ¹

Synonym Study

Colloquial, conversational, informal refer to types of speech or to usages not on a formal level. Colloquial is often mistakenly used with a connotation of disapproval, as if it meant “vulgar” or “bad” or “incorrect” usage, whereas it is merely a familiar style used in speaking and writing. Conversational refers to a style used in the oral exchange of ideas, opinions, etc.: an easy conversational style. Informal means without formality, without strict attention to set forms, unceremonious: an informal manner of speaking; it describes the ordinary, everyday language of cultivated speakers.

Example Sentences

A hypothetical history of how words become part of the colloquial lexicon.

From The Daily Beast

There are no naked bodies (at least in the colloquial sense).

From The Daily Beast

The lanky, scandal-scarred former Congressman and purveyor of the now colloquial sext, has lived and died by the tweet.

From The Daily Beast

In Austria, schnaps is a colloquial term that historically references distilled fruit brandy.

From The Daily Beast

To use an US Army colloquial term, he is a "No Go" for the cabinet post.

From The Daily Beast

"All they can rap and run for" is the more frequent colloquial version of this quaint phrase.

From Project Gutenberg

The brilliance of his wife, and her most fascinating colloquial powers, also reflected much luster upon his name.

From Project Gutenberg

He had traveled over Europe, and parts of the East, and possessed great colloquial powers when inclined to be sociable.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Attic poetry which was written in direct imitation of colloquial speech, viz.

From Project Gutenberg

A "growler" is a colloquial term applied to icebergs of small mass, which therefore only show a small portion above the surface.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• conversational
• vernacular