DictionaryAI

colloquial

Saykuh-LOH-kwee-uhlUS/kəˈloʊ.kwi.əl/UK/kəˈləʊ.kwɪəl/

3 meanings of colloquial

Practice

  1. 1
    adjective
    Like the relaxed language people use when they talk every day, not formal.

    My teacher said my essay was too colloquial for a school report.

    She speaks textbook Spanish but wants to learn the colloquial phrases people use on the street.

    Similarinformal, conversational, casual, everyday, vernacular

    Oppositeformal, literary

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 2
    adjectivedated
    Having to do with talking together, or chatty like a friendly talk.
  2. 3
    nounrare
    A word or phrase people use in relaxed, everyday talk.

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Origin

From Latin words meaning "to speak together".

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

  • Colloquial ultimately derives from Latin elements meaning to speak together. en.wiktionary.org