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colloquial

Adjective

IPA /kəˈləʊkwiəl/

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Meaning in plain English

Typical of informal conversation rather than formal writing or speech.

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Pronunciation

colloquial/kəˈləʊkwiəl/

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Formal writing: I am going to leave
Conversation: I'm off
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Colloquial language belongs to everyday conversation rather than formal writing.

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The phrase a bit pricey is colloquial.
The tutor asked us to replace colloquial expressions in the formal report.

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The phrase a bit pricey is ________.

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colloquial — Typical of informal conversation rather than formal writing or speech.

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Typical of informal conversation rather than formal writing or speech.

Compare: The phrase a bit pricey is colloquial.

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Word origin

From Latin colloquium, meaning conversation, with the ending -al.

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Colloquial language is informal, but it is not necessarily slang or incorrect English.

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