parlance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'parlance' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a particular way of speaking or using language. For example, you could say, "In legal parlance, the document is referred to as a deed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That one's a red line, in the parlance of our times.

The Guardian

1. Nine doctors have now given expert medical opinion that Warren Hill is "mentally retarded" – the official terminology still widely used in the US in legal parlance.

The Guardian

After 9/11 he sometimes wrapped up fervent support for Blair-Bush crusades in the modern parlance of liberal interventionism, and sometimes lapsed into an older discourse.

The Guardian

The ruling left a tiny gap through which death penalty states could wriggle by leaving it up to them to define the legal standard under which "mental retardation" – known in modern medical parlance as intellectual disability – is defined.

The Guardian

Liverani often mentions the "project" at Leyton Orient, an overused word in football parlance but a legitimate one in this case, as owner and manager feel their way into the English game during a debut campaign.

The Guardian - Sport

In addition to finance, one of the biggest areas of contentious is "differentiation" in UN parlance – which countries should bear the burden of cutting emissions that cause climate change.

The Guardian

Mike German, a former FBI agent, who assisted the Guardian in deciphering the bureau's documentation, said they indicated the agency had opened a category of investigation that is known in agency parlance as an "assessment".

The Guardian

In the parlance of this series, I rate it.

The Guardian - Film

These people said we are on the right side of these two big movements in this parliament, so we bank what we have, we play it safe: in the common parlance, we 'shrink the offer', we play a 35% strategy, and we get over the line.

The Guardian

And that's how I heard for the first time how common parlance called this area where I was going to, where Prenzlauer Berg, Mitte and Friedrichshain are meeting up.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The first blow fell on April 22nd when the EU's competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, sent the company a long-expected "statement of objections" (Euro-parlance for a charge-sheet) alleging market abuses.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "parlance" to indicate specialized vocabulary or expressions within a specific field or group to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "parlance" when simpler terms like "language" or "speaking" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The word "parlance" functions as a noun, typically referring to a specific way of speaking or using language within a particular context or profession. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "parlance" is a noun referring to a particular way of speaking within a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for written English. While generally neutral to formal, its usage is most frequent in news and media, formal and business, and science contexts. To ensure clear and precise communication, use "parlance" when referring to specialized vocabulary, but avoid overuse in general situations where simpler terms would suffice. Keep in mind that this word is more suited for formal than informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jargon

Technical or specialized language of a particular group.

lingo

Informal term for the vocabulary or jargon of a group.

terminology

Refers specifically to the terms used in a particular field.

idiom

A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words.

vernacular

The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.

vocabulary

The body of words used in a particular language.

language

Broader term referring to a system of communication.

dialect

A regional or social variety of a language.

manner of speaking

General way someone expresses themselves through words.

mode of expression

Style or way of conveying thoughts or feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "parlance" in a sentence?

You can use "parlance" to refer to the vocabulary or manner of speaking specific to a particular group or field. For example, "In legal "terminology", this is known as a tort."

What's the difference between "jargon" and "parlance"?

"Jargon" often implies technical or obscure language specific to a profession or group, while "parlance" is a more general term for a way of speaking. You could say a profession's jargon is its "parlance", but not always vice versa.

What can I say instead of "parlance"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "terminology", "jargon", "lingo", or "language". Choose the word that best reflects the level of formality and specificity you intend.

Is it appropriate to use "parlance" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "parlance" is generally more suited for formal or professional contexts. In informal writing, simpler terms like "language" or "way of speaking" are often more appropriate.