Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
colloquialism
Noun
/kəˈloʊ.kwi.ə.lɪ.zəm/
Definition
A colloquialism is a word or phrase that is used in casual conversation rather than in formal speech or writing.
Examples
- “Gonna” is a colloquialism for “going to.”
- Using “y’all” instead of “you all” is common in Southern American English as a colloquialism.
- In the phrase “What’s up?”, the expression is an example of colloquialism used in everyday greetings.
Meaning
It refers to informal language that reflects everyday speech and may vary by region or context.
Synonyms
- Informalism
- Slang
- Dialect
- Vernacular
