colloquialism

American  

[kuh-loh-kwee-uh-liz-uhm] / kəˈloʊ kwi əˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. a colloquial expression.

2. colloquial style or usage.

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colloquialism British  

/ kəˈləʊkwɪəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a word or phrase appropriate to conversation and other informal situations

2. the use of colloquial words and phrases

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Other Word Forms

• colloquialist noun

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.

Example Sentences

Hegseth flippantly employed villainous colloquialism – “they are toast and they know it,” “we play for keeps,” and “President Trump got the last laugh” – delivered with a combative tone that communicated masculine self-assurance.

From Salon • Mar. 10, 2026

Almost everyone who frequents the market are Chapines, a popular colloquialism used to refer to someone of Guatemalan descent.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2023

“She’s a pound shop Maggie,” said Tony Clark, a member who lives outside Birmingham, using a colloquialism that refers to a discounted version of a great figure.

From New York Times • Aug. 25, 2022

“The Wiesn will take place,” Clemens Baumgaertner told reporters in Munich using the locals’ Bavarian colloquialism for the Oktoberfest which is referring to the big lawn, or Wiese, where the boozy celebrations are taking place.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2022

Also, red-coats of old; whence lobster-box, a colloquialism for barracks.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir