colloquially

IPA/kəˈləʊkwiəli/
IPA/kəˈləʊkwiəli/

colloquially — adverb

1. using the kind of relaxed, everyday language people use in conversation, rather

1.adverbB2
Definition

using the kind of relaxed, everyday language people use in conversation, rather than the careful or formal language of official writing or public speeches

Example

The old iron bridge is colloquially known as "the money-spinner" by the townspeople.

colloquially known as + nickname in quotation marks

Nurses in the paediatric ward colloquially refer to that supply room as "the treasure cave."

colloquially refer to ... as

Common collocations
  • colloquially known as
  • colloquially referred to as
  • colloquially called
  • colloquially termed
Synonyms
  • informally

    broader; 'colloquially' specifically suggests conversational speech, while 'informally' can also apply to dress, behaviour, or setting

  • conversationally

    closer in meaning but less common; 'colloquially' is the standard choice for contrasting formal and informal terms

Antonyms
  • formally

    marks the opposite register — careful, official language rather than everyday talk

Grammar Patterns

colloquially known as ...

colloquially referred to as ...

colloquially called ...

Usage Note

Typically used to contrast a technical or formal term with the everyday name people actually use. The quoted phrase after 'as' or 'called' is the colloquial expression.

Common Mistakes

Colloquially, the dish is very tasty.
The dish is colloquially known as "poor man's steak.
'colloquially' describes language style, not a quality of the dish itself.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All three words describe a relaxed, non-official way of communicating. 'Colloquially' is the most specific: it always points to language that belongs to ordinary conversation rather than formal writing or speech. 'Informally' is the broadest term — it can describe dress codes, behaviour, or any kind of relaxed interaction beyond just words. 'Conversationally' focuses on the back-and-forth nature of talk, while 'colloquially' highlights the specific vocabulary and phrasing people use among themselves. 'Casually' overlaps with 'informally' but has a stronger feeling of deliberate effortlessness. For example, 'The plant is colloquially called "devil's ivy" even though its botanical name is Epipremnum aureum.'

informally ↗conversationally ↗casually ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • colloquially known as
  • colloquially referred to as
  • colloquially called
  • colloquially termed

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'colloquium' (conversation, talk), which combines 'com-' (together) and 'loqui' (to speak). The adjective 'colloquial' entered English in the mid-1700s meaning 'pertaining to conversation', and the suffix '-ly' was added to form the adverb.