idiomatic
gb/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/ us/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
natural-sounding in a language
sounding natural in a language
Usage pattern:
idiomatic [language]; idiomatic in [language]
Common mistake:
Learners often use it to mean simply “correct”; idiomatic usually means “native-like and natural,” not just grammatical.
Synonyms
natural (General term for not sounding forced or translated.)
|
native-like (Emphasizes similarity to how native speakers talk or write.)
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fluent (Focuses more on ease and flow than on typical wording choices.)
Antonyms
unidiomatic (Direct opposite; not typical of normal usage.)
|
awkward (More general; can be unnatural for many reasons.)
Collocations
idiomatic English
|idiomatic usage
|idiomatic phrasing
|idiomatic sentence
|idiomatic speech
|idiomatic language
|more idiomatic
|an idiomatic translation
|idiomatic writing
|sound idiomatic
Themes
language
|writing
|communication
|education
Examples
- Her revised version is grammatical, but it still isn’t very idiomatic.
- Try to read more news articles to develop a more idiomatic style in English.
- The interpreter chose a shorter, more idiomatic phrase instead of translating word for word.
Learner examples
- This sentence is not idiomatic in English.
- I want my writing to sound more idiomatic.
adjective
C1
property
2
containing or using idioms
about idioms, or using idioms
Usage pattern:
idiomatic [expression/phrase/meaning]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse idiomatic meaning with literal meaning; idiomatic meaning often cannot be translated word for word.
Synonyms
figurative (Broader; includes metaphorical uses beyond fixed idioms.)
Antonyms
literal (Opposes meanings that come directly from the words themselves.)
Collocations
idiomatic expression
|idiomatic phrase
|idiomatic meaning
|idiomatic sense
|idiomatic usage
|idiomatic language
Themes
language
|linguistics
|education
Examples
- The phrase “spill the beans” is an idiomatic expression meaning “reveal a secret.”
- In this context, “cold feet” has an idiomatic meaning, not a literal one.
- The textbook explains several idiomatic phrases used in everyday conversation.
Learner examples
- “Break the ice” is idiomatic.
- This word has an idiomatic meaning here.
adjective
technical
C2
property
3
typical of a style or medium
typical of a style, or suited to it
Usage pattern:
idiomatic to [someone/something]; idiomatic for [an instrument/medium]
Common mistake:
This use is not mainly about language-learning; in music it often means “written in a way that works naturally for the instrument.”
Synonyms
characteristic (Highlights a defining feature of a person or style.)
|
typical (More general; focuses on what is commonly found.)
Antonyms
atypical (Not usual for that person, style, or medium.)
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uncharacteristic (Especially for a person or group; not like them.)
Collocations
idiomatic to the genre
|idiomatic to the instrument
|idiomatic for the piano
|idiomatic writing
|idiomatic orchestration
|idiomatic style
Themes
arts
|music
|writing
Examples
- The composer’s harmonies are idiomatic to late-Romantic orchestral writing.
- Some passages feel unidiomatic for the guitar and are awkward to play.
- The quick, sharp dialogue is idiomatic to her screenwriting style.
Learner examples
- This rhythm is idiomatic to jazz.
Grammar
Dictionary form
idiomatic
IPA
GB/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/
US/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/
Syllables & stress
idio - mat - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ic)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: idiomatic
Word family
Core family
idiom
noun B2
Related words
idiomatically
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
unidiomatic
adjective
unidiomatically
adverb
Advanced or less common
idiomaticity
noun
Expressions
idiomatic english
1/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
fixed phrase
natural-sounding English
English that sounds natural
Examples
- Living abroad helped her speak more idiomatic English.
- The editor changed several phrases to make the report sound more idiomatic English.
- This is understandable, but it isn’t idiomatic English.
idiomatic expression
1/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk ɪkspɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
an idiom in use
an idiom
Examples
- “On the other hand” is a common idiomatic expression in English.
- Try not to overuse idiomatic expressions in formal academic writing.
- Some idiomatic expressions are very regional and may not be understood everywhere.
idiomatic to
1/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk tə/
fixed phrase
formal
typical of a person or thing
typical of something
Examples
- That dry humor is idiomatic to his novels.
- Certain chord shapes are idiomatic to the guitar.
- The phrasing is idiomatic to the dialect spoken in the region.
idiomatic usage
1/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk jˈusɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
typical way of using words
the natural way people use language
Examples
- The guide highlights common errors and suggests more idiomatic usage.
- In idiomatic usage, we usually say “interested in,” not “interested on.”
- Some older expressions have fallen out of idiomatic usage.