The noun colloquy was first used in English to refer to a conversation or dialogue, and when the adjective colloquial was formed from colloquy it had a similar focus.

COLLOQUIAL definition: characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal. See examples of colloquial used in a sentence.

/ kəˈloʊ·kwi·əl / Add to word list (of words and expressions) informal and conversational, and more suitable for use in speech than in writing (Definition of colloquial from the Cambridge Academic …

Colloquialism (also called colloquial language, everyday language, or general parlance) is the linguistic style used for casual (informal) communication. It is the most common functional style of speech, the …

Definition of colloquial adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

1. characteristic of or suitable to ordinary or familiar conversation or writing rather than formal speech or writing; informal. 2. involving or using conversation. col•lo′qui•al•ness, col•lo`qui•al′i•ty, n.

Apr 8, 2026 · Adjective colloquial (comparative more colloquial, superlative most colloquial) (linguistics) Characteristic of familiar conversation, of common parlance; informal.

Colloquial words and phrases are informal and are used mainly in conversation. ...a colloquial expression.

Colloquial language is casual and conversational: it's the difference between "What are you going to do?" and "Whatchagonnado?"

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 …