What does colloquialism mean?
A colloquialism is a word or phrase belonging to informal, everyday speech rather than to formal writing or official discourse. Expressions such as "gonna", "wanna", or "y'all" are typical examples: they feel natural in conversation but would seem out of place in an academic paper or legal document. The term also covers regional expressions tied to a particular place, so that a phrase familiar in the American South may be unknown elsewhere. Colloquialisms carry connotations of warmth, immediacy, and authenticity, which is why writers deliberately use them in dialogue to make characters sound believable. The word describing them is itself learned and somewhat formal, appearing chiefly in discussions of language, literature, and style. For editors and translators, recognizing a colloquialism matters because such expressions rarely translate directly and can date quickly. Understanding the concept helps readers appreciate the difference between how people actually speak and how language is conventionally written down.
An informal word or expression used in ordinary conversation rather than formal speech or writing.
"Her essay avoided colloquialisms like "kids" in favor of the more formal "children"."
In writing and editing, colloquialisms are usually flagged for revision in formal registers.
A regional or local expression characteristic of a particular area or community.
"The phrase "fixin' to" is a colloquialism widespread across the southern United States."
Standard plural; commonly used when discussing multiple examples of informal language.
"His letters are peppered with colloquialisms that never appear in his published essays."
Every time you say "gonna" instead of "going to", you're speaking a living piece of linguistic folklore — one that linguists can trace to your exact region.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of colloquialism
Colloquialism derives from the Latin verb colloqui, meaning "to converse together", formed from com- ("together") and loqui ("to speak"). English borrowed the adjective colloquial from Latin colloquialis in the mid-18th century, and the noun colloquialism followed shortly afterward as writers began cataloguing the informal expressions of everyday speech. The same Latin root loqui produced a family of English words about talking, including eloquent, loquacious, and soliloquy, while colloquium preserves the original sense of a conversation or conference.
Related word forms
How colloquialism is actually used
The word itself is formal — it belongs to linguistic and literary discussion, not casual chat. Calling something a colloquialism is generally neutral, though in editing contexts it often implies a term that should be replaced with more standard language.
Easily confused with colloquialism
An idiom is a phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from its individual words (e.g. "kick the bucket"), whereas a colloquialism is simply an informal word or expression whose meaning is usually transparent.