colloquialism
Americannoun
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a word or phrase appropriate to conversation and other informal situations
-
the use of colloquial words and phrases
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of colloquialism
First recorded in 1800–10; colloquial + -ism
Explanation
A saying that expresses something other than the literal meaning of the words it contains is a colloquialism, like saying "I wasn't born yesterday," to mean "you can't fool me." Colloquialism comes from the Latin word colloquium meaning "conference, conversation," or literally "a speaking together." When you talk, colloquialisms are so common, you might not be aware you are using them — that is, until one comes up that is unfamiliar to someone in the group. Explaining the meaning of a colloquialism shows just how strange or goofy these expressions really are.
Vocabulary lists containing colloquialism
Rhetoric
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The AP English Exam: Rhetorical and Literary Terms 2
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Rhetoric
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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.
The Disgusting Colloquialism: "She drew in a great, hitching breath and hocked a remarkably large looey onto the top of his head."
From Time Magazine Archive
Colloquialism, instead of literary speech, even bad grammar where more formal book-speech seems to dampen the fire, must be instinctively sought.
From How to See a Play by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir
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.
