colloquialisms
Informal speech patterns
Colloquialisms are informal words or expressions used in everyday speech rather than formal writing.
They mark language as casual, regional, or conversational: gonna, y'all, no biggie.
Colloquialisms aren't incorrect—they're simply suited to relaxed contexts.
What counts as colloquial shifts with time and setting; yesterday's slang may become tomorrow's standard usage.
Regional language variety
- slangInformal in-group vocabulary
- vernacularEveryday regional speech
- drawlUnhurried, elongated speech pattern
- twangSharp vibrating sound
patois · localisms · provincialisms · idioms · expressions · sayings · lingo · parlance
Informal in-group vocabulary
- buzzwordsTrendy technical jargon
- catchphrasesMemorable associated expressions
- trendyCurrently in vogue
- hipFashionable or pelvic joint
Relaxed and informal
- conversationalRelating to informal dialogue
- everydayOccurring each day
- relaxedFree of stress
- chattyInclined to converse freely
folksy · breezy · offhand · unpolished · unstilted · natural · easygoing · familiar
Departing from established norms
- substandardBelow required quality
- vulgarismsCrude or indecent expressions
- neologismsNewly invented words
- coinagesNewly created words
contractions · abbreviations · clippings · elisions · shortenings · ain't · gonna · wanna
dialect
Regional language variety
- slangInformal in-group vocabulary
- vernacularEveryday regional speech
- drawlUnhurried, elongated speech pattern
twang · patois · localisms · provincialisms · idioms · expressions · sayings · lingo · parlance · argot
slang
Informal in-group vocabulary
- buzzwordsTrendy technical jargon
- catchphrasesMemorable associated expressions
- trendyCurrently in vogue
hip · groovy · rad · lit · slay · vibe · fire · cap · bet · snatched
casual
Relaxed and informal
- conversationalRelating to informal dialogue
- everydayOccurring each day
- relaxedFree of stress
chatty · folksy · breezy · offhand · unpolished · unstilted · natural · easygoing · familiar · friendly
nonstandard
Departing from established norms
- substandardBelow required quality
- vulgarismsCrude or indecent expressions
- neologismsNewly invented words
coinages · contractions · abbreviations · clippings · elisions · shortenings · ain't · gonna · wanna · gotta
Americanisms
US-specific language features
- BritishismsUK-specific vocabulary
- AustralianismsDistinctive expressions from down under
- SpanglishHybrid of two languages
Hinglish · Singlish · pidgin · creole · township · favela · bazaar · souk · craic · hygge
- languagelanguage, word, words, grammar, spelling
- vocabularyword, words, new words, term, terms
- everyday languageeveryday words, simple words, spoken words, greetings, phrases
- expressionsexpression, I love you, phrase, idioms, thank you
- Informal Languageslang, idioms, contractions, expressions, street talk
- slangslang, jargon, lingo, argot, cant
colloquialismsformal language
Elevated, rule-governed expression
purple prose · elevated language · high style · officialese · refined language
colloquialismstechnical terminology
Specialized words within disciplines
jargon · legalese · scientific language · legal language · technical terms