colloquialism
Americannoun
-
a word or phrase appropriate to conversation and other informal situations
-
the use of colloquial words and phrases
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
See Examples For:
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
“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
A high-style zoot suit, chopped up and reassembled as a textile collage by Michie, is titled “Tacuche #3,” a Mexican colloquialism for “suit” that also means “rags.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2022
Electrical outlets reappear in his paintings, a reference to the colloquialism, “Are you plugged in?”
From New York Times ● Jun. 16, 2021
Pure English was difficult enough for him, but the slangy colloquialism of the Riles’ home was almost unintelligible.
From The Bail Jumper by Stead, Robert J. C.
Gilroy set to work meticulously highlighting the Maine-area colloquialisms and metaphors and building out Detective Mackey as a Javert-type villain, echoing the relentless inspector in Victor Hugo’s "Les Misérables."
From Salon ● Mar. 23, 2025
A translation company called Camb.ai used its proprietary A.I. model to translate broadcasts into other languages, matching appropriate tone, voice, and colloquialisms to make it feel authentic.
From Slate ● Aug. 1, 2024
“Dooring” and “doored,” colloquialisms among bicyclists, refer to a collision caused by a driver or passenger opening a car door into an oncoming cyclist.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2023
Yankee colloquialisms such as “I guess” and “You bet” echoed from Piccadilly Circus to Regent Street.
From Washington Post ● May 2, 2023
But for the pageant, she doesn’t want to hear me speak any street talk, or, as she calls it, colloquialisms.
From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles
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.
