colloquial
Americanadjective
-
characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal.
- Antonyms:
- formal
-
involving or using conversation.
adjective
-
of or relating to conversation
-
denoting or characterized by informal or conversational idiom or vocabulary Compare informal
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of colloquial
Explanation
Colloquial language is casual and conversational: it's the difference between "What are you going to do?" and "Whatchagonnado?" The word colloquial comes from the Latin word colloquium, which means "speaking together." The roots are the prefix com-, which means "together," and the suffix -loqu, which means "speak." Some may think that colloquial language is not good, when in fact it may just not be appropriate for the context. While it is OK to be colloquial and chatty with friends, it is not acceptable to be colloquial in an essay for school or work.
Vocabulary lists containing colloquial
100 SAT words Beginning with "C"
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The AP English Exam: Writing, Grammar, and Word Choice
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Vivacious Vernacular: Words About Slang
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In his book, he treats empathy in a largely colloquial sense, “as both a way of exhibiting sympathy towards someone, as well as a means of putting myself in your shoes.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
Intent on finding “language that has emotional not intellectual meaning to people,” Nolan opted to use colloquial, contemporary dialogue when constructing his script rather than artificially elevated speech.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 7, 2026
London Theatre praised the play in its four-star review and said "it is decidedly modern in its outlook, colloquial speech, and, most potently, impact".
From BBC ● May 13, 2026
There is so much that the public doesn’t know, and even more that can be contorted by disinformation and colloquial slang, making these important subjects the butt of the joke.
From Salon ● Apr. 26, 2026
“Can’t, might set the black damp off,” the old miner said, using the colloquial term for methane.
From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
