colloquial

American  

[kuh-loh-kwee-uhl] / kəˈloʊ kwi əl /

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.

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colloquial British  

/ kəˈləʊkwɪəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to conversation

2. denoting or characterized by informal or conversational idiom or vocabulary Compare informal

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Related Words

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

• colloquiality
  noun
• colloquially
  adverb
• colloquialness
  noun
• quasi-colloquial
  adjective
• quasi-colloquially
  adverb
• semicolloquial
  adjective
• semicolloquially
  adverb
• uncolloquial
  adjective
• uncolloquially
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of colloquial

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

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.

Related Words

• conversational
• vernacular