idiomatic
gb/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/ us/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/
C1
Kiingereza
Maana
maana 0
adjective
C1
property
1
natural-sounding in a language
sounding natural in a language
Muundo wa matumizi:
idiomatic [language]; idiomatic in [language]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners often use it to mean simply “correct”; idiomatic usually means “native-like and natural,” not just grammatical.
Visawe
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.)
Vinyume
unidiomatic (Direct opposite; not typical of normal usage.)
|
awkward (More general; can be unnatural for many reasons.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
idiomatic English
|idiomatic usage
|idiomatic phrasing
|idiomatic sentence
|idiomatic speech
|idiomatic language
|more idiomatic
|an idiomatic translation
|idiomatic writing
|sound idiomatic
Mada
language
|writing
|communication
|education
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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
Muundo wa matumizi:
idiomatic [expression/phrase/meaning]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse idiomatic meaning with literal meaning; idiomatic meaning often cannot be translated word for word.
Visawe
figurative (Broader; includes metaphorical uses beyond fixed idioms.)
Vinyume
literal (Opposes meanings that come directly from the words themselves.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
idiomatic expression
|idiomatic phrase
|idiomatic meaning
|idiomatic sense
|idiomatic usage
|idiomatic language
Mada
language
|linguistics
|education
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- “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
Muundo wa matumizi:
idiomatic to [someone/something]; idiomatic for [an instrument/medium]
Kosa la kawaida:
This use is not mainly about language-learning; in music it often means “written in a way that works naturally for the instrument.”
Visawe
characteristic (Highlights a defining feature of a person or style.)
|
typical (More general; focuses on what is commonly found.)
Vinyume
atypical (Not usual for that person, style, or medium.)
|
uncharacteristic (Especially for a person or group; not like them.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
idiomatic to the genre
|idiomatic to the instrument
|idiomatic for the piano
|idiomatic writing
|idiomatic orchestration
|idiomatic style
Mada
arts
|music
|writing
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- This rhythm is idiomatic to jazz.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
idiomatic
IPA
GB/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/
US/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk/
Silabi na mkazo
idio - mat - ic (silabi 3)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ic)
Maumbo ya neno
Adjective
- Base: idiomatic
Familia ya neno
Core family
idiom
noun B2
Related words
idiomatically
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
unidiomatic
adjective
unidiomatically
adverb
Advanced or less common
idiomaticity
noun
Semi
idiomatic english
1/ˌɪdiəmˈætɪk ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
fixed phrase
natural-sounding English
English that sounds natural
Mifano
- 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
Mifano
- “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
Mifano
- 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
Mifano
- 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.