Colloquial

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /kəˈləʊ.kwi.É™l/
• US IPA: /kəˈloÊŠ.kwi.É™l/, /kəˈloÊŠ.ki.É™l/

Origin

1751, from earlier term colloquy (a conversation), from Latin colloquium (conference, conversation), from con- (together) + loqui (speak).

Full definition of colloquial

Adjective

1. (linguistics) Denoting a manner of speaking or writing that is characteristic of familiar conversation; informal.
2. Of or pertaining to a conversation; conversational or chatty.

Usage notes

Note that while colloquy and colloquium refer to formal conversation, colloquial refers instead specifically to informal conversation.

Derived terms

• colloquialism
• colloquially
• colloquialness
• colloquiality

Related terms

• colloquium
• colloquy
• slang