A colloquialism is a word, phrase, or expression commonly used in everyday language but generally avoided in formal contexts. Such items are typical of ordinary spoken language and informal personal correspondence rather than formal speech or academic writing. Colloquial language also extends to many aspects of paralinguistics, including tone and informal vocal cues.
Use and social context
Colloquialisms signal a relaxed or familiar tone and are usually appropriate in casual conversation or personal messages. They are characteristic of speech among friends, family, or within particular communities, and often contrast with vocabulary reserved for professional or official settings. Colloquial forms may be neutral, regional, or tied to particular age groups and can become part of everyday familiar usage.
Relation to other registers
- Colloquial expressions overlap with informal language but are not identical to slang; slang tends to be more ephemeral and group-specific.
- Some colloquialisms are idiomatic or metaphorical, while others are simply contracted or conversational versions of standard words.
- Over time, frequent colloquial usages can move into accepted standard language, changing what is considered informal.
How they appear in reference works
Major dictionaries routinely flag words and phrases that are considered colloquial. Such entries are often annotated with an abbreviation — typically shown as colloq. — to warn readers that the item is better suited to everyday speech than to formal prose.
Practical guidance
- Match your register to the situation: prefer standard vocabulary for formal documents and presentations, and reserve colloquial language for personal, informal contexts.
- Be aware of regional differences: a colloquialism in one dialect may be standard elsewhere.
- When learning a language, pay attention to colloquial forms to understand spoken interactions, but use them cautiously in writing until you are confident about appropriateness.