vernacular
Americanadjective
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(of language) native to a place (opposed to literary).
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expressed or written in the native language of a place, as literary works.
a vernacular poem.
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using such a language.
a vernacular speaker.
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of or relating to such a language.
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using plain, everyday, ordinary language.
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of, relating to, or characteristic of architectural vernacular.
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noting or pertaining to the common name for a plant or animal.
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Obsolete. (of a disease) endemic.
noun
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vernaculars
plural
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the native speech or language of a place.
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the language or vocabulary peculiar to a class or profession.
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a vernacular word or expression.
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the plain variety of language in everyday use by ordinary people.
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the common name of an animal or plant as distinguished from its Latin scientific name.
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a style of architecture exemplifying the commonest techniques, decorative features, and materials of a particular historical period, region, or group of people.
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any medium or mode of expression that reflects popular taste or local styles.
noun
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the commonly spoken language or dialect of a particular people or place
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a local style of architecture, in which ordinary houses are built
this architect has re-created a true English vernacular
adjective
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relating to, using, or in the vernacular
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designating or relating to the common name of an animal or plant
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built in the local style of ordinary houses, rather than a grand architectural style
Synonym Usage
See language.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of vernacular
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin vernācul(us), “household, domestic, native” (apparently adjective use of vernāculus, diminutive of verna “slave born in the master's household”; further origin uncertain) + -ar 1
Explanation
Vernacular describes everyday language, including slang, that's used by the people. The vernacular is different from literary or official language: it's the way people really talk with each other, like how families talk at home. You know how some language is fancy and formal? Vernacular is different: think of it as how friends talk when no one is listening. Vernacular language includes slang and obscenities. One of the hardest things about writing for school is getting away from the vernacular and learning to write in more formal ways that don't come as naturally. You can also say specific groups have a vernacular, meaning the unique way people in a certain region or profession speak.
Vocabulary lists containing vernacular
The AP English Exam: Writing, Grammar, and Word Choice
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Vivacious Vernacular: Words About Slang
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Their Eyes Were Watching God
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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:
The excitement comes with its own vernacular, as “powder hounds” hit the slopes, looking for “fresh tracks” and “chasing pow.”
From Slate ● Apr. 11, 2026
She couldn’t have known she’d alter my vernacular forever, but when Cher posted, “Whats going on with mycareer” — typos and all — nothing would ever be the same.
From Salon ● Mar. 22, 2026
In his own vernacular, he "mogs" everyone he meets - he is so at the top of his game that he outshines everyone in his presence.
From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2026
“Kin” deftly alternates points of view between Vernice and Annie, narrating events by way of a vernacular that would be at home on a front porch rocking chair.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2026
He talked to virtually no one but his horses, and then only in their vernacular of small gestures and soft sounds.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
“People at the top spoke a different language, often Latin, and populations would speak local vernaculars, which were not standardized.”
From Slate ● Jul. 4, 2026
He has driven across the country more than a dozen times, mapping highways, studying vernaculars.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2023
He went on to explain that even though language constantly evolves, different regions will continue to display their own collections of distinct vernaculars.
From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2022
And from its conductor, it demands not just mastery of Ravel’s own skillful orchestration, which often seems to rise from the body of the piano, but also the composer’s savvy interlocking of vernaculars.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 8, 2022
There were also nearly a hundred editions, in Latin and various vernaculars, of The Imitation of Christ.
From The Age of the Reformation by Preserved Smith
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.
