colloquial

CEFRC1

/kəˈləʊ.kwɪəl/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Used in ordinary conversation rather than formal writing.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    A colloquial word or phrase, colloquialism.

Examples

  • Colloquial speech is used in everyday conversation.

  • These stories are told in colloquial and everyday language.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
1
Synonyms
1

Also pronounced

  • /kəˈloʊ.kwi.əl/

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Of or pertaining to a conversation; conversational or chatty.

  2. Characteristic of familiar conversation, of common parlance; informal.

More examples

In context

  • The colloquial, and at times sarcastic, tone of her books makes her popular with teenagers.

  • You're using too many colloquial words in this cover letter: I suggest changing "I picked up loads of cool skills" to "I acquired many positive abilities"

  • If you know what it means to be a “fidlet” going for a “jolly” in your “doo”, then you are part of an exclusive club that speaks colloquial Antarctic English.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

While writing, avoid blank phrases that are too informal for academic essays.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

Middle English -al English -al English colloquial 1751, from earlier term colloquy (“a conversation”), from Latin colloquium (“conference, conversation”), from con- (“together”) + loquor (“to speak”), + -al.