idiom
gb/ˈɪdiəm/ us/ˈɪdiəm/
B2
English
idióma, szólás, kifejezésmód, nyelvezet, nyelvhasználat, nyelvjárás
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
an idiom; [something] is an idiom meaning [meaning]
“Spill the beans” is an idiom meaning to reveal a secret.
A „spill the beans” egy idióma, jelentése: elárulni egy titkot.
Some idioms are hard to translate because they don’t make sense word for word.
Néhány idiómát nehéz lefordítani, mert szóról szóra nem értelmezhetők.
She tried to avoid idioms in her speech so international colleagues could follow easily.
Learner examples
“Break the ice” is an idiom.
A „break the ice” egy idióma.
I am learning idioms in English.
Angol idiómákat tanulok.
Common mistake:
Learners often use idiom to mean any proverb, slang term, or informal word; idioms are typically multi-word fixed phrases.
Meaning
fixed phrase with special meaning
Collocations
common idiom
|well-known idiom
|English idiom
|idiom meaning [something]
|learn idioms
|use an idiom
|translate an idiom
|idiom dictionary
|idiom in [a language]
|idiom and proverb
Synonyms
set phrase (More general term for a fixed multi-word expression; not all set phrases are non-literal.)
|
expression (Very broad; may or may not be fixed or non-literal.)
|
figure of speech (Broader category; includes metaphor and other non-literal language, not only fixed phrases.)
Antonyms
literal expression (An expression whose meaning follows directly from the words used.)
Themes
language_learning
|linguistics
|communication
Definition
a common phrase with a meaning that is different from the words themselves
A fixed phrase whose meaning is not simply the sum of the usual meanings of its individual words.
NOUN
C1
2
kifejezésmód
B2
nyelvezet
B2
Usage pattern:
in a/an [adjective] idiom; the idiom of [someone/something]
The novel is written in a spare, contemporary idiom.
A regény szikár, kortárs nyelvezettel íródott.
The director borrowed the visual idiom of 1970s thrillers.
A rendező az 1970-es évekbeli thrillerek vizuális kifejezésmódját vette át.
Jazz has its own musical idiom that new players need time to absorb.
Learner examples
The poem uses a modern idiom.
A vers modern kifejezésmódot használ.
He writes in a simple idiom.
Egyszerű nyelvezettel ír.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the ‘fixed phrase’ sense; here idiom means style, not a specific phrase.
Meaning
distinctive style of expression
Collocations
in a modern idiom
|in a contemporary idiom
|in a poetic idiom
|in a visual idiom
|musical idiom
|cinematic idiom
|written in an idiom
|the idiom of the period
|a distinctive idiom
|an idiom of expression
Synonyms
style (Most common general word; less formal and less tied to language/medium.)
|
manner (Focuses on how something is done; can sound slightly formal.)
|
mode (Often used for artistic or technical ways of expression; a bit more formal.)
Antonyms
generic style (Lacking a distinctive or characteristic way of expression.)
Themes
communication
|arts
|media
|writing
Definition
a particular style of speaking, writing, or art
A distinctive style or way of speaking, writing, or artistic expression that is typical of a person, group, period, or medium.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
nyelvjárás
B2
Usage pattern:
the idiom of [a place/group/field]
Many of the songs are written in the idiom of rural Appalachia.
Sok dal a vidéki Appalache-vidék nyelvjárásában íródott.
He struggled at first with the idiom of the courtroom.
Eleinte nehezen boldogult a tárgyalóterem nyelvhasználatával.
The author captures the idiom of the neighborhood with remarkable accuracy.
Learner examples
He learned the local idiom quickly.
Gyorsan megtanulta a helyi nyelvjárást.
This book uses the idiom of the region.
Ez a könyv a régió nyelvhasználatát követi.
Common mistake:
This sense is less common in everyday conversation; learners may overuse it where dialect or language is more natural.
Meaning
particular language or dialect
Collocations
local idiom
|regional idiom
|native idiom
|legal idiom
|religious idiom
|technical idiom
|the idiom of the countryside
|the idiom of [a region]
|speak in the idiom of [a group]
|preserve an idiom
Synonyms
dialect (More common term for a regional or social variety of a language.)
|
vernacular (Emphasizes everyday speech of ordinary people; can be formal in tone.)
|
language (Broader and more neutral; not as specific about variation or community use.)
Antonyms
standard language (The standardized variety used in formal writing and education.)
Themes
linguistics
|society
|communication
Definition
a language or dialect used by a group of people
A particular language or dialect, especially as used by a community or in a specific setting.
Grammar
Dictionary form
idiom
IPA
GB/ˈɪdiəm/
US/ˈɪdiəm/
Syllables & stress
idiom (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (idiom)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: idiom
- Plural: idioms
Word family
Forms
idioms
noun
Core family
idiomatic
adjective C1
Related words
idiomatically
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
unidiomatic
adjective
Expressions
in the idiom of [someone/something]
1/ˈɪn ðə ˈɪdiəm əv sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
using a particular style
using the same style as someone or something
Examples
- She wrote the dialogue in the idiom of 1940s radio dramas.
- The building is designed in the idiom of classical architecture.
- The album is firmly in the idiom of early blues.
Learner examples
- He spoke in the idiom of his hometown.
- The poster is in the idiom of old movies.
in the local idiom
1/ˈɪn ðə lˈoʊkəl ˈɪdiəm/
fixed phrase
using local way of speaking
in the way local people speak
Examples
- The guide explained the history in the local idiom so everyone could follow.
- He greeted the shopkeeper in the local idiom, which immediately put her at ease.
- Some jokes only work when told in the local idiom.
Learner examples
- Try to speak in the local idiom.
- She can explain it in the local idiom.