colloquially
gb/kˈoʊloʊkwiəli/ us/kˈoʊloʊkwiəli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
C1
property
1
in informal everyday language
in an informal way, like in everyday speech
Usage pattern:
[say/use/refer to something] colloquially
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse with colloguially/collogially (misspelling). Also, it describes language use, not how friendly someone is.
Synonyms
informally (More common and broader; not limited to language style.)
|
in everyday speech (Plain and explicit; emphasizes common spoken usage.)
|
casually (Focuses on relaxed tone, not specifically vocabulary/register.)
Antonyms
formally (Uses formal language and style instead of conversational speech.)
|
technically (Uses precise, specialized meanings rather than everyday ones.)
Collocations
colloquially speaking
|colloquially known as
|colloquially called
|colloquially referred to as
|colloquially termed
|used colloquially
|colloquially used
|say colloquially
|colloquially described as
|colloquially named
Themes
language
|communication
|writing
|speaking
Examples
- Colloquially, people often shorten the name to just the first syllable.
- The word is colloquially used to mean “a big problem,” although that isn’t its strict definition.
- She described the policy, colloquially, as “a mess.”
Learner examples
- Colloquially, we call it “the flu.”
- This word is used colloquially in my country.
adverb
formal
C1
relation
2
by its common everyday name
used before a common, non-official name
Usage pattern:
colloquially [called/known/referred to as] [name]
Common mistake:
This use is often followed by called/known/referred to as; it doesn’t usually stand alone without indicating the common name.
Synonyms
commonly (Emphasizes frequency of use, not necessarily informality.)
|
popularly (Suggests wide public usage; can sound slightly more journalistic.)
Antonyms
officially (Uses the formal or authorized name instead of the everyday one.)
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scientifically (Uses the technical/scientific term rather than the common label.)
Collocations
colloquially known as
|colloquially called
|colloquially referred to as
|colloquially dubbed
|colloquially nicknamed
|colloquially labeled
|colloquially termed
|colloquially described as
Themes
language
|education
|science
|writing
Examples
- The compound is colloquially known as “bath salts,” though it isn’t actually used for bathing.
- This neighborhood is colloquially called Little Athens because of its large Greek community.
- The illness is colloquially referred to as “mono.”
Learner examples
- It is colloquially known as “the tube.”
Grammar
Dictionary form
colloquially
IPA
GB/kˈoʊloʊkwiəli/
US/kˈoʊloʊkwiəli/
Syllables & stress
col - lo - qui - ally (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (col)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: colloquially
- Plural: colloquiallies
Word family
Expressions
colloquially called
1/kˈoʊloʊkwiəli kˈɔld/
fixed phrase
formal
informally named
people call it [name] in everyday speech
Examples
- The shortcut is colloquially called a “hack,” even when it isn’t illegal.
- This style of sandwich is colloquially called a “sub” in many parts of the US.
- The reaction is colloquially called “the fizz test.”
colloquially known as
1/kˈoʊloʊkwiəli nˈoʊn ˈæz/
fixed phrase
formal
commonly called by this name
people usually call it [name]
Examples
- The area is colloquially known as the Triangle because of its shape.
- The condition is colloquially known as “pink eye.”
- This type of contract is colloquially known as a “handshake deal.”
colloquially referred to as
1/kˈoʊloʊkwiəli ɹɪfˈɚd tə ˈæz/
fixed phrase
formal
informally called by this name
people informally call it [name]
Examples
- The device is colloquially referred to as a “smart speaker.”
- These small payments are colloquially referred to as “microtransactions.”
- The neighborhood is colloquially referred to as the Old Town.
colloquially speaking
1/kˈoʊloʊkwiəli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
to put it informally
in an informal way of speaking
Examples
- Colloquially speaking, the plan was dead on arrival.
- Colloquially speaking, he’s the boss, even if his title is different.
- Colloquially speaking, that’s a fancy way of saying “it’s broken.”