Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to everyday, informal, or native language: Describes language that is ordinary, natural, and spoken by the people of a particular region or group, as opposed to formal, literary, or learned language.
   • Indigenous or local: Can describe something characteristic of a particular place or group.

2. Noun:

   • The everyday speech of a people or a region: The native language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or area.
   • The specialized language of a particular group: The jargon, slang, or idiom used within a specific profession, trade, or social group.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The poet used vernacular expressions to make his work more accessible. (The poet used everyday language expressions to make his work more accessible.)
  • This is a vernacular term for a local plant. (This is a common local name for a plant.)

• Noun:

  • The novel was written in the local vernacular, not in formal Latin. (The novel was written in the local everyday language, not in formal Latin.)
  • It took me a while to understand the vernacular of software developers. (It took me a while to understand the specialized language of software developers.)

Advanced Usage

• "In the vernacular": Expressed in ordinary, non-specialist language.

  • The scientist explained the complex theory in the vernacular so everyone could understand. (The scientist explained the complex theory in plain language so everyone could understand.)

• "Vernacular architecture": A term used to describe buildings constructed using local materials and traditional styles, reflecting local needs and culture.

  • The tour focused on the island's vernacular architecture. (The tour focused on the island's traditional local building styles.)

Variants and Related Words

• Vernacularly (adverb): In a vernacular manner; using everyday language.
  • The concept was explained vernacularly. (The concept was explained using common language.)

Synonyms

• Colloquial (adj.): Used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary.
• Dialect (n.): A particular form of a language specific to a region or social group.
• Lingo (n.): Informal term for the vocabulary or jargon of a particular subject or group of people.
• Patois (n.): A dialect other than the standard or literary dialect.

Related Phrases

• Common parlance: The way in which ordinary people talk; everyday language.

  • In common parlance, this device is just called a "phone." (In everyday language, this device is just called a "phone.")

• The vulgar tongue: An older term for the common spoken language of the people (note: "vulgar" here means "of the common people," not offensive).

  • The Bible was translated into the vulgar tongue so more people could read it. (The Bible was translated into the common language so more people could read it.)

Adjective

1. being or characteristic of or appropriate to everyday language
   • common parlance
   • a vernacular term
   • vernacular speakers
   • the vulgar tongue of the masses
   • the technical and vulgar names for an animal species

Noun

1. the everyday speech of the people (as distinguished from literary language)
2. a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
   • they don't speak our lingo