vernacular

The ordinary way people speak, including local expressions, rather than formal or written language.

• The dialogue uses street vernacular.
• He replaced formal terms with everyday vernacular.
• Young people’s vernacular changes quickly.

Similar words: everyday speech, colloquial language

Common phrases: street vernacular, everyday vernacular, in the vernacular

The language normally spoken by people in a particular country or area.

• The book appeared in the vernacular.
• She translated the songs into the local vernacular.
• Schools began teaching in the vernacular instead of a foreign language.

Similar words: local language, native language

Common phrases: in the vernacular, local vernacular, translate into vernacular, mass in vernacular

Using or relating to the ordinary language people speak rather than formal or written language.

• The poem uses vernacular language.
• She studied vernacular expressions from the region.
• His vernacular style makes the dialogue sound natural.

Similar words: colloquial, everyday

Opposites: formal

Common phrases: vernacular speech, vernacular language, vernacular expression

Belonging naturally to the place where someone was born or something developed.

• The writer celebrated vernacular customs.
• Travellers described the villagers’ vernacular habits.
• These vernacular traditions developed within the island community.

Similar words: native, indigenous

Opposites: foreign

Common phrases: vernacular customs, vernacular traditions, vernacular habits