dialect

di-a-lect · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A particular form of a language that is peculiar to a specific region or social group.

  2. 2.

    A variety of a language with distinct vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

Related words

Antonyms: standard language
See also: accent, language, vernacular
Synonyms: idiom, speech, tongue, variety, vernacular

Etymology

From Greek dialektos meaning "discourse, conversation, way of speaking," from dialegesthai meaning "to discourse, converse," from dia- (across, between) + legein (to speak). First recorded in English in the 16th century.