1
as in vernacular
used in or suitable for speech and not formal writing
the new coworker's rudeness soon began—to use a colloquial expression—to rub me the wrong way
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in conversational
having the style and content of everyday conversation
a colloquial essay on what makes a marriage successful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in colloquialism
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of colloquial
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Tabloid Journalism and Audiences Tabloid newspapers not only differ in size from broadsheet newspapers but in the way articles are written; tabloid articles are typically written in a colloquial and sensational style.
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Shepherd Mpofu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Cicada’s disappearing routine Scientists who hunt for unusual Covid-19 variants waited to give this one a colloquial, or common, name.
—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
In a colloquial example, the operating room team can either buy a new surgical robot or a new microscope, but not both.
—
Richard Menger Md Mpa,
Forbes.com,
25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Adjective
The women’s game’s limited coverage meant his other honours with Umea — reaching two more UEFA Cup finals and five domestic trophies — were appreciated on a more colloquial level.
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Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Tabloid Journalism and Audiences Tabloid newspapers not only differ in size from broadsheet newspapers but in the way articles are written; tabloid articles are typically written in a colloquial and sensational style.
—
Shepherd Mpofu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Cicada’s disappearing routine Scientists who hunt for unusual Covid-19 variants waited to give this one a colloquial, or common, name.
—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
In a colloquial example, the operating room team can either buy a new surgical robot or a new microscope, but not both.
—
Richard Menger Md Mpa,
Forbes.com,
25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for colloquial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for colloquial
Adjective
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And yet Webster’s dictionary, and his earlier attempts at spelling reform, expressed a radical desire to forge an entirely new tongue based in the vernacular genius of the aspiring American people.
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Because the alcohol drives the storytellers toward vernacular expression, these pieces can seem more alive and authentic, more relatable, than big-budget, big-screen productions.
Adjective
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The deployment introduced an agent layer that could access the underlying systems, prepare inputs for the appropriate optimization approach, interpret outputs in plain language and surface recommendations through conversational and web interfaces.
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Some startups — like HereAfter AI, Storyfile, and Eternos — offer services like video avatars and conversational AI trained on a deceased person’s data.
Noun
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The exhibit’s title is derived from a Spanish colloquialism.
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Ways to learn a new language Apps are a good way to learn the basics and proper pronunciation, but many colloquialisms, abbreviations and grammatically informal expressions used by fluent or native speakers aren’t taught on apps or in language classes.
Adjective
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Authorities are also investigating the death of a Malawian man after he was allegedly killed by a mob at an informal settlement in the city of Pietermaritzburg, near Durban.
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It is joined by an adjoining family room and informal dining area.
Adjective
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Unlike scenic destinations that become part of a wedding backdrop, Walshe said Madison Square Garden presents the opposite challenge because designers would first have to erase the venue's familiar arena feel before creating something entirely new.
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From there, Florida's history followed the path more familiar to Americans, eventually becoming the 27th state in 1845.
Noun
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On the one hand, the translation serves as a source for the idioms of nineteenth-century English; on the other, as evidence of the ideas that the translator held about a Colombian woman writer.
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Out of love for different sound systems, different writing systems, different grammars, different sets of concepts, different idioms, different ways of seeing the world.
Adjective
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On casual occasions, this T-shirt dress is an easy way to be presentable—and comfortable.
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Plus, the simple silhouette easily transitions from daytime adventures to casual dinners.
Noun
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The look that stuck with us from his spring 2026 menswear collection, his final for the house, was this brown field jacket—officially, in brand parlance, a hemp blouson.
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James thrived as a slot cornerback or a nickelback (depending on the parlance), acting as an additional run defender or pass rusher, depending on the situation.
Cite this Entry
“Colloquial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/colloquial. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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