locution

[loh-kyoo-shuhn]

noun

1. a particular form of expression; a word, phrase, expression, or idiom, especially as used by a particular person, group, etc.

2. a style of speech or verbal expression; phraseology.

locution

/ ləʊˈkjuːʃən /

noun

1. a word, phrase, or expression

2. manner or style of speech or expression

Other Word Forms

• locutionary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of locution¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin locūtiōn- (stem of locūtiō ) “speech, style of speech,” equivalent to locūt(us) (past participle of loquī “to speak”) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of locution¹

C15: from Latin locūtiō an utterance, from loquī to speak

Synonym Study

See phrase.

Example Sentences

I kept a list of such locutions as I was reading — an “index of themes,” to borrow the title of the opening poem.

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An awkward locution, but it appeases the sensitivity police.

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The New Hampshire Democrat, who got elected six years ago by a margin of just 1,017 votes, uses an unmistakably New England locution to describe her state’s voters: “Wicked independent.”

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These locutions clutter Seymour’s book, especially since what we do know of Rhys’s life and career is, if not encyclopedic, a good deal.

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If the locution “hard-boiled” had not already been coined it would be necessary to coin it now to describe the characters of Dashiell Hammett’s latest detective story.

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Related Words

• inflection