Colloquial Language Examples & Definition

As a writer, including characters who use colloquial language can make those characters more relatable or authentic to the background or age the author wants to portray that character as. 

In this way, characterization can be enhanced and deepened through the use of certain colloquialisms. The character can feel more authentic to real-life. 

In an article, colloquial language also offers an opportunity to communicate and connect with audiences. These phrases are commonly used and circulated, meaning they are often widely understood by many. This is why consideration of the audience is so important when writing. 

Here are some examples of colloquial words and phrases. You may or may not recognize these, as different cultures may have different terms and words that they use. 

The words  “y’all”, “gonna”, “wanna”, “ain’t”, and “yeah” are all colloquial words. 

These words are less formal and represent short-form versions and contractions of other words. They occur in our language and can be used regularly verbally, but they are generally excluded from use during more formal conversations. Here are the colloquialisms and their meanings: 

• “You all” = “y’all”
• “Going to” = “gonna”
• “Want to” = “wanna”
• “Yes” = “yeah”
• “Style” = “drip”
• “About to” = “finna”
• “High quality” = “ate”
• “Sounds good” = “slaps”
• “What are you doing” = “whatcha doin’”
• “Let me” = “lemme”
• “I don’t know” = “dunno”
• “Very” = “hella”
• “Money” = “bread” or “dough”
• “That’s true” = “fr” (short for “for real”)
• “Cool” = “lit”
• “On point” or “stylish” = “fire”
• “Relax” = “chill”

Some of these words have more dramatic shifts from their origins. Colloquial words often include slang terms, which can fade in or out of fashion depending on a variety of influences. 

It is not only words that can be classified as colloquial. This also applies to phrases and sayings. Here are some examples: 

• “Over the hill” refers to someone who is old.
• “Graveyard dead” is a phrase that means literally deceased, rather than the figurative expression, “That joke is killing me. I’m dead.” 
• To “throw the baby out with the bathwater” means someone’s reaction is likely more than what it needs to be. 
• “Don’t kill the messenger” warns someone to not become upset with a person delivering information and to instead consider the source or creator of that message.   

Colloquialisms can vary based on dialect and geographical location. 

Here are other colloquial phrases: 

• “Cool as a cucumber” means someone is calm and relaxed.
• The expression, “Break a leg” means “Good luck!”
• To “Bite the bullet” means to “Be brave and get something done.”
• When something is described as “the bee’s knees,” it means it is awesome.
• “Spill the beans” is when someone tells a secret.
• If a person says they feel “under the weather,” it indicates that they feel ill. 
• If you say you’re going to “hit the books,” it means you’re aiming to begin your studying or work.
• A “couch potato” is someone who likes to lay around on the couch and maybe watch a lot of television.
• When someone tells you to “put a sock in it,” they want you to be quiet.
• If a person is “caught red-handed,” it means they’ve been caught doing something wrong.
• When someone says, “Hold your horses!,” they want you to wait or slow down before proceeding.
• If a task is described as a “piece of cake,” that means it will be simple and easy to complete.
• If someone says they need to tell you something and you say, “I’m all ears,” this means you’re prepared to listen carefully. 
• If you have a feeling of “butterflies in your stomach,” this means that you are feeling nervous. 
• To have “cold feet” is a colloquialism that means you’re feeling scared or nervous about something.