Synonyms

cacology

American

[ka-kol-uh-jee, kuh-] / kæˈkɒl ə dʒi, kə- /

noun

defectively produced speech; socially unacceptable diction.

cacology British

/ kəˈkɒlədʒɪ /

noun

a bad choice of words; faulty speech

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cacology

First recorded in 1615–25; caco- + -logy

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.

Even Shakespeare might have been glad of such an opportunity to enlarge the cacology, by actual hearing, of some of his most amusing characters.

From Old New England Traits by Lunt, George

As to prose, I don't know Addison's from Johnson's; but I will try to mend my cacology.

From Life of Lord Byron, Vol. 3 With His Letters and Journals by Moore, Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023