Idiomatic - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Idiomatic refers to language that sounds natural to native speakers, using expressions or phrases specific to a culture or language. It often involves figurative meanings not deducible from individual words.
Definition:
Relating to or characteristic of natural speech patterns in a language, often with meanings not deducible from individual words.
Synonyms:
colloquial, vernacular, natural, expressive
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
unnatural, literal
Common Collocations:
idiomatic expression, idiomatic language, idiomatic usage
Derivatives:
idiomatically, idiomaticity
Usage Tips:
Use "idiomatic" to describe phrases that sound natural to native speakers but may not follow strict grammatical rules.
Common Phrases:
hit the sack, spill the beans, kick the bucket
Etymology:
Derived from Greek "idiōmatikos," meaning "peculiar to a language," via Late Latin and French influences.
Examples:
- 1. She speaks English with idiomatic fluency.
- 2. The phrase "break a leg" is highly idiomatic.
- 3. His writing lacks idiomatic expressions and sounds unnatural.
- 4. Learning idiomatic phrases helps sound like a native speaker.