Nearby Words
adjective
1.
characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal.
2.
involving or using conversation.
Related forms
col·lo·qui·al·ly, adverb
col·lo·qui·al·ness, col·lo·qui·al·i·ty, noun
qua·si-col·lo·qui·al, adjective
qua·si-col·lo·qui·al·ly, adverb
sem·i·col·lo·qui·al, adjective
EXPANDSynonyms
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.
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.
Antonyms
1. formal.
1. formal.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Colloquial
is an SAT word you need to know.
So is cavalier. Does it mean:
| producing offspring abundantly |
| haughty, disdainful, or supercilious, offhand or unceremonious |
Collins
World English Dictionary
| colloquial (kəˈləʊkwɪəl) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | of or relating to conversation |
| 2. | Compare informal denoting or characterized by informal or conversational idiom or vocabulary |
| col'loquially | |
| —adv | |
| col'loquialness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
| Main Entry: | colloquial |
| Part of Speech: | adj |
| Definition: | pertaining to words or expressions more suitable for speech than writing; in informal, conversational style |
| Etymology: | Latin colloquium 'speaking together' |
| Main Entry: | colloquial |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | colloquial language or speech |
| Etymology: | Latin colloquium 'speaking together' |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
colloquial
1751, from colloquy "a conversation" (1459), from L. colloquium "conference, conversation," from com- "together" + loqui "speak."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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