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colloquial

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col⋅lo⋅qui⋅al

  [kuh-loh-kwee-uhl]
Use colloquial in a Sentence
–adjective
1. characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal.
2. involving or using conversation.
Origin:
1745–55; colloquy + -al 1

Related forms:
col⋅lo⋅qui⋅al⋅ly, adverb
col⋅lo⋅qui⋅al⋅ness, col⋅lo⋅qui⋅al⋅i⋅ty, noun

Synonyms:
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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col·lo·qui·al   (kə-lō'kwē-əl)   
adj.  

  1. Characteristic of or appropriate to the spoken language or to writing that seeks the effect of speech; informal.

  2. Relating to conversation; conversational.


[From colloquy.]
col·lo'qui·al n., col·lo'qui·al·ly adv., col·lo'qui·al·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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'
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
Copyright © 2003-2009 Dictionary.com, LLC
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Word Origin & History

colloquial 
1751, from colloquy "a conversation" (1459), from L. colloquium "conference, conversation," from com- "together" + loqui "speak." Colloquialism first attested 1810. Colloquium itself was borrowed from L. 1609.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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