colloquial

colloquial
—colloquially, adv. —colloquialness, colloquiality, n.
/keuh loh"kwee euhl/, adj.
1. characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal.
2. involving or using conversation.
[1745-55; COLLOQUY + -AL1]
Syn. 1, 2. COLLOQUIAL, CONVERSATIONAL, INFORMAL refer to types of speech or to usages not on a formal level. COLLOQUIAL is often mistakenly used with a connotation of disapproval, as if it meant "vulgar" or "bad" or "incorrect" usage, whereas it is merely a familiar style used in speaking and writing. CONVERSATIONAL refers to a style used in the oral exchange of ideas, opinions, etc.: an easy conversational style. INFORMAL means without formality, without strict attention to set forms, unceremonious: an informal manner of speaking; it describes the ordinary, everyday language of cultivated speakers.
Ant. 1. formal.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Colloquial — Col*lo qui*al, a. [See {Colloqui}.] Pertaining to, or used in, conversation, esp. common and familiar conversation; conversational; hence, unstudied; informal; as, colloquial intercourse; colloquial phrases; a colloquial style. {Col*lo qui*al*ly} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • colloquial — index ordinary, prevailing (current), prevalent Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • colloquial — 1751, from COLLOQUY (Cf. colloquy) a conversation + AL (Cf. al) (1). Related: Colloquially …   Etymology dictionary

  • colloquial — is a term used in dictionaries and books on language to describe the less formal vocabulary and grammar of everyday speech. In some dictionaries, informal is used instead (as being less judgemental), although the implications for usage are the… …   Modern English usage

  • colloquial — [adj] particular, familiar to an area, informal chatty, common, conversational, demotic, dialectal, everyday, idiomatic, jive*, popular, street*, vernacular; concept 267 Ant. correct, formal, standard, stilted …   New thesaurus

  • colloquial — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ (of language) used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary. DERIVATIVES colloquially adverb. ORIGIN from Latin colloquium conversation …   English terms dictionary

  • colloquial — [kə lō′kwē əl] adj. [< L colloquium (see COLLOQUY) + AL] 1. having to do with or like conversation; conversational 2. INFORMAL (sense e) colloquially adv …   English World dictionary

  • colloquial — [[t]kəlo͟ʊkwiəl[/t]] ADJ GRADED Colloquial words and phrases are informal and are used mainly in conversation. ...a colloquial expression... His stumbling attempts at colloquial Russian amused her. Derived words: colloquially ADV GRADED ADV with… …   English dictionary

  • colloquial — col•lo•qui•al [[t]kəˈloʊ kwi əl[/t]] adj. 1) characteristic of or suitable to ordinary or familiar conversation or writing rather than formal speech or writing; informal 2) involving or using conversation • Etymology: 1745–55; colloquy+ al… …   From formal English to slang

  • colloquial — adjective Date: 1751 1. of or relating to conversation ; conversational 2. a. used in or characteristic of familiar and informal conversation; also unacceptably informal b. using conversational style • …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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