idiomatically
gb/ˈɪdiəmətɪkəli/ us/ˈɪdiəmətɪkəli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
technical
C1
property
1
in natural idiomatic language
in a way that sounds natural in a language
Usage pattern:
[someone] speaks/writes/uses [language/words] idiomatically
Common mistake:
Often confused with meaning “literally”; also sometimes misspelled or confused with “idiotically.”
Synonyms
naturally (Focuses on sounding fluent, not specifically on idioms.)
|
fluently (Emphasizes ease and flow, not necessarily idiomatic word choice.)
Antonyms
awkwardly (Opposite of natural-sounding usage.)
|
unidiomatically (Direct opposite in language-use discussions.)
Collocations
speak idiomatically
|write idiomatically
|use a phrase idiomatically
|idiomatically appropriate
|idiomatically natural
|sound idiomatically correct
|express yourself idiomatically
|more idiomatically
|less idiomatically
|idiomatically in English
Themes
language_learning
|writing
|communication
Examples
- She speaks Spanish fluently, but she doesn’t always speak idiomatically.
- Try to use the verb idiomatically rather than translating directly from your first language.
- The revised version reads more idiomatically and is easier to follow.
Learner examples
- I want to speak English idiomatically.
- This sentence is not idiomatically correct.
adverb
technical
C1
property
2
in a figurative idiom sense
with an idiom meaning, not the literal meaning
Usage pattern:
[word/phrase] is used idiomatically (not literally)
Common mistake:
Learners may interpret the phrase literally and miss that it is being used idiomatically.
Synonyms
figuratively (Broader; includes metaphorical use that is not necessarily a fixed idiom.)
|
nonliterally (Emphasizes the contrast with literal meaning.)
Antonyms
literally (Takes the words in their basic, direct sense.)
Collocations
used idiomatically
|understand idiomatically
|interpret idiomatically
|read idiomatically
|take idiomatically
|idiomatically rather than literally
|idiomatically speaking
|idiomatically in context
Themes
language_learning
|semantics
|communication
Examples
- In this line, “break the ice” is used idiomatically, not literally.
- The title can be read idiomatically as a comment on politics.
- Don’t take that phrase literally—she meant it idiomatically.
Learner examples
- “Spill the beans” is used idiomatically here.
Grammar
Dictionary form
idiomatically
IPA
GB/ˈɪdiəmətɪkəli/
US/ˈɪdiəmətɪkəli/
Syllables & stress
idio - mat - ic - ally (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (idio)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: idiomatically
- Plural: idiomaticallies
Word family
Expressions
idiomatically correct
1/ˈɪdiəmətɪkəli kɚˈɛkt/
fixed phrase
technical
natural-sounding language use
correct in the way native speakers say it
Examples
- The sentence is grammatically correct, but it isn’t idiomatically correct.
- Your meaning is clear, but this sounds more idiomatically correct with “make a decision.”
- Editors often fix small changes to make dialogue idiomatically correct.
idiomatically speaking
1/ˈɪdiəmətɪkəli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
from an idiom-usage viewpoint
when talking about natural idiom use
Examples
- Idiomatically speaking, you’d usually say “on the weekend” in American English.
- Idiomatically speaking, “do a mistake” isn’t standard; people say “make a mistake.”
- Idiomatically speaking, that verb doesn’t fit with this noun.