dialect

noun

(linguistics, broad sense) A variety of a language that is characteristic of a particular area, community, or social group, differing from other varieties of the same language in relatively minor ways as regards grammar, phonology, and lexicon.

(linguistics, strict sense) A lect (often a regional or minority language) as part of a group or family of languages, especially if they are viewed as a single language, or if contrasted with a standardized idiom that is considered the 'true' form of the language (for example, Bavarian as contrasted with Standard German).

(derogatory) Language that is perceived as substandard or wrong.

(colloquial, offensive) A language existing only in an oral or non-standardized form, especially a language spoken in a developing country or an isolated region.

(computing, programming) A variant of a non-standardized programming language.

(ornithology) A variant form of the vocalizations of a bird species restricted to a certain area or population.

Roots

diadia- · Greek · through, across lego-lect · Latin · gather, choose

Synonyms for dialect

accentn idiomn patoisn languagen lingon vernacularn argotn broguen idiomaticadj pronunciationn isogloss cockneyn linguan pidginn dictionn parlancen

Synonyms & related words for dialect

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Words related to dialect

Explore words related to dialect — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include cockneyism, dialectology, idioglossia, idiolect, dialectologist, vernacularism, colloquialisms, overslaugh. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for dialect

Common synonyms for dialect include accent, idiom, patois, language, lingo, vernacular, argot, brogue — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does dialect come from?

The word dialect breaks down into 2 roots of Greek and Latin origin: dia-, from Greek dia (“through, across”); and -lect, from Latin lego (“gather, choose”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.