What Is a Colloquialism? What It Is and What It Ain’t

Wondering, “What is a colloquialism?” You’re not alone. Our guide will explain how these words that make up casual conversation function in English.

Colloquialisms are informal, everyday words and phrases that aren’t formal—the type of speech you use when talking to a friend. When writing in a simple, everyday style, you probably already use colloquialisms, especially in your dialogue between characters. These terms or phrases are key when you want your readers to be able to relate to your ch...