colloquiality
Everyday language trait
Colloquiality is the quality of being colloquial—informal, conversational, characteristic of everyday speech rather than formal or literary language.
The word can also refer to a specific instance of colloquial expression: The essay's colloquialities made it feel accessible to general readers.
Writers sometimes deliberately employ colloquiality to create an approachable tone or to capture authentic dialogue.
Informal in-group vocabulary
- jargonSpecialized professional vocabulary
- lingoGroup-specific vocabulary
- argotGroup-specific coded speech
- buzzwordTrendy jargon, often hollow
neologism · shoptalk · street talk · cant · common parlance
Exchange of spoken ideas
- chatInformal verbal exchange
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- chitchatInformal light conversation
- small talkPolite trivial conversation
gossip · gab · natter · schmooze · tête-à-tête · heart-to-heart · confab · exchange
Local area favoritism
- vernacularEveryday regional speech
- patoisRegional informal speech
- provincialismNarrow regional mindset
- localismPreference for nearby things
sociolect · brogue · accent · mother tongue · native speech · creole · pidgin · demotic
Relaxed, not official
- casualRelaxed and informal
- everydayOccurring each day
- conversationalRelating to informal dialogue
- relaxedFree of stress
unpretentious · unofficial · familiar · unaffected · approachable · friendly · easygoing · laid-back
Fixed phrase, opaque meaning
- sayingShort, wise expression
- turn of phraseDistinctive verbal expression
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
- catchphraseSignature line of words
cliché · locution · phraseology · figure of speech · common saying · set phrase · stock phrase
slang
Informal in-group vocabulary
- jargonSpecialized professional vocabulary
- lingoGroup-specific vocabulary
- argotGroup-specific coded speech
buzzword · neologism · shoptalk · street talk · cant · common parlance
conversation
Exchange of spoken ideas
small talk · gossip · gab · natter · schmooze · tête-à-tête · heart-to-heart · confab · exchange · rapport
regionalism
Local area favoritism
- vernacularEveryday regional speech
- patoisRegional informal speech
- provincialismNarrow regional mindset
localism · sociolect · brogue · accent · mother tongue · native speech · creole · pidgin · demotic
informal
Relaxed, not official
- casualRelaxed and informal
- everydayOccurring each day
- conversationalRelating to informal dialogue
relaxed · unpretentious · unofficial · familiar · unaffected · approachable · friendly · easygoing · laid-back · breezy
idiom
Fixed phrase, opaque meaning
- sayingShort, wise expression
- turn of phraseDistinctive verbal expression
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
catchphrase · cliché · locution · phraseology · figure of speech · common saying · set phrase · stock phrase
colloquialityformality
Strict observance of convention
formal language · formal speech · pomposity · grandiloquence · high style
colloquialitystandard language
Codified, official linguistic form
technical writing · officialese · technical language · legalese · Queen's English