idiomatic
gb/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/ us/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/
C1
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
adjective
C1
property
1
natural-sounding in a language
sounding natural in a language
Schéma d’usage :
idiomatic [language]; idiomatic in [language]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often use it to mean simply “correct”; idiomatic usually means “native-like and natural,” not just grammatical.
Synonymes
natural (General term for not sounding forced or translated.)
|
native-like (Emphasizes similarity to how native speakers talk or write.)
|
fluent (Focuses more on ease and flow than on typical wording choices.)
Antonymes
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
Thèmes
language
|writing
|communication
|education
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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
Schéma d’usage :
idiomatic [expression/phrase/meaning]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse idiomatic meaning with literal meaning; idiomatic meaning often cannot be translated word for word.
Synonymes
figurative (Broader; includes metaphorical uses beyond fixed idioms.)
Antonymes
literal (Opposes meanings that come directly from the words themselves.)
Collocations
idiomatic expression
|idiomatic phrase
|idiomatic meaning
|idiomatic sense
|idiomatic usage
|idiomatic language
Thèmes
language
|linguistics
|education
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- “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
Schéma d’usage :
idiomatic to [someone/something]; idiomatic for [an instrument/medium]
Erreur fréquente :
This use is not mainly about language-learning; in music it often means “written in a way that works naturally for the instrument.”
Synonymes
characteristic (Highlights a defining feature of a person or style.)
|
typical (More general; focuses on what is commonly found.)
Antonymes
atypical (Not usual for that person, style, or medium.)
|
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
Thèmes
arts
|music
|writing
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- This rhythm is idiomatic to jazz.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
idiomatic
API
GB/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/
US/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/
Syllabes et accentuation
idio - mat - ic (3 syllabes)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ic)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: idiomatic
Famille de mots
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
Exemples
- 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
Exemples
- “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
Exemples
- 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
Exemples
- 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.