What does idiomatical mean?
Idiomatical is a rare English adjective meaning relating to an idiom or characteristic of the distinctive expressions of a language. It most often occurs in discussions of translation, style, or linguistic usage, where it can emphasize that a phrase follows the conventions of its language rather than being a literal or imported construction. The word is closely related to the much more familiar idiomatic, which is normally the preferred form in modern prose: saying an expression is idiomatic usually sounds natural, whereas saying it is idiomatical is formal, old-fashioned, or mildly unusual. Neither word should be used to claim that a nonstandard expression is automatically good; idiomatic status still depends on appropriateness to the intended audience and context. Although uncommon, idiomatical is useful as a reminder that the vocabulary of description has finer gradations than everyday usage often reveals.
adjectiveRelating to or characteristic of an idiom; idiomatic.
- Relating to or characteristic of an idiom; idiomatic.
"The translator retained the novel's idiomatical character without sacrificing clarity."
"The translator retained the novel's idiomatical character without sacrificing clarity."
"The dialectologist compared the speech's idiomatical features with those of nearby regional varieties."
Idiomatical is a real adjective, but it is one syllable longer than the everyday favourite idiomatic.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does idiomatical come from?
Idiomatical is an English formation based on idiom, using the adjective-forming sequence -atic and -al. Its base ultimately comes through Latin from Greek ἰδίωμα (idiōma), meaning a peculiarity or idiom. The longer English adjective is now uncommon, while its shorter relative idiomatic remains standard in ordinary use.
How idiomatical is actually used
Rare and formal-sounding; idiomatic is normally preferred in contemporary prose. The longer form can sound old-fashioned or unnecessarily emphatic.
Easily confused with idiomatical
Idiomatic is the standard modern adjective for something characteristic of an idiom, whereas idiomatical is a rarer, longer variant with essentially the same core sense.