colloquial

USAGE SUMMARY

'colloquial' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to language or words that are used in informal conversation or are particular to a region or group of people. For example: "The colloquial expressions used by the locals in the small town were unfamiliar to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In response to reading the "Box 500 report" – the colloquial term for MI5 briefing notes – on 1 November 1984, the prime minister insisted her cabinet secretary, Sir Robert Armstrong, "consider urgently whether there is any way these developments could be prevented, whether by denunciation or otherwise".

The Guardian

The chanting I heard was mostly in French: "Nik les schmitts" ("Fuck the cops"), and sometimes in English: "Fuck the police!" But there was another slogan, chanted in colloquial Arabic, which seemed to hit hardest of all: "Na'al abouk la France!" ("Fuck France!").

The Guardian

Some tips for a successful blog post: It should be around 600 words long It should adopt an informal but not overly colloquial style Put some work into your intro – is it intriguing/engaging/different?

The Guardian

Hence its colloquial name Herrgottsbescheiberle in Swabian: "little God-cheaters".Kilian Strauss Tübingen, Germany* SIR – Your splendid article tracing Swabian industriousness (Fleiss) and frugality back to Pietism captured some key characteristics of this tribe.

The Economist

Even the word he used for truth (daoli, which is often translated as reason or rule) is more colloquial than the loftier term, zhenli, reserved for high truths like Marxism-Leninism.Giants playing catch-upThanks to a sevenfold rise in its output since then, China is well past the point of being bullied.

The Economist

"God's Little Princess Devotional Bible" is pink and sparkly.There are about 900 English translations of the Bible, ranging from the grandiloquent to the colloquial.

The Economist

He then struck up conversations with shoeshine boys hanging around the dock, hoping that the boys would describe what the fish were doing in a relaxed, colloquial manner.The experiment, though, was not entirely successful: when the boys realised his intention, they began to speak more formally.

The Economist

Not-so-hot property Tell me the Talmud The mystery tanks A Terror threat to the ruling party ReprintsFifty-odd scholars in the United States and Israel, working alone but linked electronically, provide a colloquial translation of the text grounded in Rashi's commentary, plus a digest of other, often conflicting commentaries.

The Economist

IBM, for instance, has set up a $100m fund to back startups that use the technology behind Watson, a computer that can communicate in colloquial language.

The Economist

Mr Johnson's very unChurchillian but winningly colloquial style, for example, makes Mr Brown's droning automation sound even worse even if Mr Johnson deploys it in the prime minister's defence.

The Economist

Mr Chatel added that the president specifically avoids "amphigoric style and syntactic convolution".When he was first elected in 2007 Mr Sarkozy's fondness for verbs over abstract nouns, and colloquial phrases over official waffle, felt refreshing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "colloquial" to add authenticity to dialogues or narratives, reflecting natural speech patterns. For academic writing, reserve it for discussions about language itself.

Common error

Avoid using "colloquial" language in formal essays or reports where a professional tone is expected. Replace "colloquial" terms with more formal equivalents to maintain credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "colloquial" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe language that is informal or conversational. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it denotes a manner of speaking or writing typical of familiar conversation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

32%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "colloquial" functions as an adjective to describe language characterized by informality and conversational tone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, while usage patterns show prevalence across diverse sources, notably News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. While adaptable, ensure its usage aligns with your writing's intended formality. Related terms such as "informal language" and "vernacular speech" offer nuanced alternatives. Remember to avoid overuse in formal writing to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informal language

Focuses on the lack of formality in the language.

vernacular speech

Emphasizes the everyday language of a particular region or group.

common parlance

Highlights widespread understanding and usage within a community.

conversational English

Underscores its suitability for spoken interactions.

slang terms

Refers to very informal and often short-lived expressions.

regional dialect

Highlights geographical variations in speech.

everyday expressions

Stresses routine and commonplace usage.

jargon

Highlights specialized vocabulary within a group or profession, sometimes overlapping with informal usage.

non-standard language

Indicates deviation from formal or prescribed linguistic norms.

local idiom

Focuses on expressions unique to a specific locality.

FAQs

How can I effectively use the word "colloquial" in a sentence?

Use "colloquial" to describe language that is informal and conversational, like in the sentence: "The author used "colloquial language" to make the dialogue sound more realistic."

What's a good substitute for the word "colloquial"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "informal", "vernacular", or "conversational" as substitutes for "colloquial".

Is it correct to use "colloquial" when describing written text?

Yes, it's acceptable. You can use "colloquial" to describe writing that mimics informal speech, but ensure it aligns with your writing's overall tone. Consider saying "The writing adopted a "conversational style"" for better wording.

What distinguishes "colloquial" from "slang"?

"Colloquial" refers to informal language common in everyday conversation, while "slang" involves highly informal words or phrases, often limited to specific groups or generations. Slang tends to be more transient and less widely understood than colloquialisms.