Colloquial


[kuh-loh-kwee-uh l] /kəˈloʊ kwi əl/

adjective
1.
characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal.
2.
involving or using conversation.
/kəˈləʊkwɪəl/
adjective
1.
of or relating to conversation
2.
denoting or characterized by informal or conversational idiom or vocabulary Compare informal
adjective

pertaining to words or expressions more suitable for speech than writing; in informal, conversational style
noun

colloquial language or speech
Word Origin

Latin colloquium ‘speaking together’
adj.

1751, from colloquy “a conversation” + -al (1). Related: Colloquially.

Read Also:

  • Colloquialism

    [kuh-loh-kwee-uh-liz-uh m] /kəˈloʊ kwi əˌlɪz əm/ noun 1. a expression. 2. style or usage. /kəˈləʊkwɪəˌlɪzəm/ noun 1. a word or phrase appropriate to conversation and other informal situations 2. the use of colloquial words and phrases n. 1810, “a colloquial word or phrase,” from colloquial + -ism.

  • Colloquiality

    [kuh-loh-kwee-uh l] /kəˈloʊ kwi əl/ adjective 1. characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal. 2. involving or using conversation. /kəˈləʊkwɪəl/ adjective 1. of or relating to conversation 2. denoting or characterized by informal or conversational idiom or vocabulary Compare informal adjective pertaining to words or expressions […]

  • Colloquially

    [kuh-loh-kwee-uh l] /kəˈloʊ kwi əl/ adjective 1. characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal. 2. involving or using conversation. /kəˈləʊkwɪəl/ adjective 1. of or relating to conversation 2. denoting or characterized by informal or conversational idiom or vocabulary Compare informal adjective pertaining to words or expressions […]

  • Colloquies

    [kol-uh-kwee] /ˈkɒl ə kwi/ noun, plural colloquies. 1. a conversational exchange; dialogue. 2. a conference. /ˈkɒləkwɪ/ noun (pl) -quies 1. a formal conversation or conference 2. a literary work in dialogue form 3. an informal conference on religious or theological matters n. mid-15c., “discourse,” from Latin colloquium “conference, conversation,” literally “a speaking together,” from com- […]

  • Colloquium

    [kuh-loh-kwee-uh m] /kəˈloʊ kwi əm/ noun, plural colloquiums, colloquia [kuh-loh-kwee-uh] /kəˈloʊ kwi ə/ (Show IPA) 1. a conference at which scholars or other experts present papers on, analyze, and discuss a specific topic. /kəˈləʊkwɪəm/ noun (pl) -quiums, -quia (-kwɪə) 1. an informal gathering for discussion 2. an academic seminar n. early 17c., “conversation, dialogue,” from […]


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