idiomatic
gb/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/ us/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/
C1
Inglese
Accezioni
0 accezioni
adjective
C1
property
1
natural-sounding in a language
sounding natural in a language
Schema d'uso:
idiomatic [language]; idiomatic in [language]
Errore comune:
Learners often use it to mean simply “correct”; idiomatic usually means “native-like and natural,” not just grammatical.
Sinonimi
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.)
Contrari
unidiomatic (Direct opposite; not typical of normal usage.)
|
awkward (More general; can be unnatural for many reasons.)
Collocazioni
idiomatic English
|idiomatic usage
|idiomatic phrasing
|idiomatic sentence
|idiomatic speech
|idiomatic language
|more idiomatic
|an idiomatic translation
|idiomatic writing
|sound idiomatic
Temi
language
|writing
|communication
|education
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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
Schema d'uso:
idiomatic [expression/phrase/meaning]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse idiomatic meaning with literal meaning; idiomatic meaning often cannot be translated word for word.
Sinonimi
figurative (Broader; includes metaphorical uses beyond fixed idioms.)
Contrari
literal (Opposes meanings that come directly from the words themselves.)
Collocazioni
idiomatic expression
|idiomatic phrase
|idiomatic meaning
|idiomatic sense
|idiomatic usage
|idiomatic language
Temi
language
|linguistics
|education
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- “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
Schema d'uso:
idiomatic to [someone/something]; idiomatic for [an instrument/medium]
Errore comune:
This use is not mainly about language-learning; in music it often means “written in a way that works naturally for the instrument.”
Sinonimi
characteristic (Highlights a defining feature of a person or style.)
|
typical (More general; focuses on what is commonly found.)
Contrari
atypical (Not usual for that person, style, or medium.)
|
uncharacteristic (Especially for a person or group; not like them.)
Collocazioni
idiomatic to the genre
|idiomatic to the instrument
|idiomatic for the piano
|idiomatic writing
|idiomatic orchestration
|idiomatic style
Temi
arts
|music
|writing
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi per chi studia
- This rhythm is idiomatic to jazz.
Grammatica
Forma base
idiomatic
IPA
GB/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/
US/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/
Sillabe e accento
idio - mat - ic (3 sillabe)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ic)
Forme flesse
Adjective
- Base: idiomatic
Famiglia di parole
Core family
idiom
noun B2
Related words
idiomatically
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
unidiomatic
adjective
unidiomatically
adverb
Advanced or less common
idiomaticity
noun
Espressioni
idiomatic english
1/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
fixed phrase
natural-sounding English
English that sounds natural
Esempi
- 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
Esempi
- “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
Esempi
- 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
Esempi
- 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.