colloquially

Colloquially is an adverb used to describe speech or writing that adopts the style of ordinary conversation rather than formal or literary language. When a statement is presented colloquially, it signals that the expression is familiar to native speakers in everyday talk and may include informal vocabulary, contractions, and idioms.

Etymology: Colloquially derives from colloquial, itself from Latin colloquialis “of conversation,” from colloquium “conversation.” The suffix -ly forms the modern English adverb.

Usage: In linguistics and journalism, the term notes that a phrase or form is typical of spoken language or common speech. It is regionally or socially marked, and not all informal language is necessarily colloquial. Examples include contractions such as gonna or wanna, and regionally specific terms, whose acceptability depends on audience and context.

Considerations: In formal writing, expressions described as colloquial are usually avoided or quoted to indicate tone. The related noun colloquialism refers to a word or phrase used in everyday speech rather than in formal language. Colloquial language often reflects dialect, register, and social meaning, and can vary across communities and time. Related concepts include colloquial language and other markers of informal speech.