language
/'læɳgwidʤ/
Definition
- Noun:
- A system of communication: A structured system of words, sounds, and symbols used by a community or nation to express thoughts and feelings.
- The faculty of speech: The human ability to acquire and use complex systems of communication.
- The style or manner of expression: The particular words or phrasing used in a specific context, such as in a song, a discipline, or informal speech.
- A system of symbols and rules for computer programming: A formal language used to write instructions that a computer can execute.
Usage and Examples
- Referring to a specific tongue:
- Referring to the faculty or ability:
- Referring to a style or type of expression:
- Referring to computer instructions:
Advanced Usage
- "Strong language": Speech that contains swearing or offensive words.
- "In plain language": Expressed in a simple, clear way that is easy to understand.
- "Speak the same language": To have similar ideas, feelings, or opinions; to understand each other well.
Variants and Related Words
- Linguistic (adj): Relating to language or the study of languages.
- Bilingual (adj): Able to speak two languages fluently.
- Language barrier (n phrase): A difficulty in communication between people who speak different languages.
Synonyms
- Tongue: A particular language (e.g., ).
- Speech: The expression of thoughts in spoken words.
- Dialect: A particular form of a language specific to a region or social group.
- Terminology: The set of terms used in a specific subject.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases
(Note: "Language" is a noun and does not form phrasal verbs. However, common verb phrases include:) - To speak a language: To be able to communicate in it. He speaks three languages. - To use language: To employ words to communicate. The politician carefully used language to avoid controversy.
Related Idioms
- Mind your language: Be careful about what you say, especially to avoid being rude. Mind your language when speaking to your elders!
- Lost in translation: When the meaning of something is not accurately conveyed when translated from one language to another.
Noun
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a system of words used to name things in a particular discipline
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legal terminology
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biological nomenclature
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the language of sociology
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the mental faculty or power of vocal communication
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language sets homo sapiens apart from all other animals
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the cognitive processes involved in producing and understanding linguistic communication
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he didn't have the language to express his feelings
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the text of a popular song or musical-comedy number
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his compositions always started with the lyrics
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he wrote both words and music
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the song uses colloquial language
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(language) communication by word of mouth
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his speech was garbled
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he uttered harsh language
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he recorded the spoken language of the streets
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a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
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he taught foreign languages
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the language introduced is standard throughout the text
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the speed with which a program can be executed depends on the language in which it is written
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