idiom
8 synonyms for idiom, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A phrase whose meaning can't be worked out just from the words in it, such as "kick the bucket."
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use idiom
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
common idiom
English idiom
musical idiom
Etymology
From Greek idíōma, "peculiarity, particular phrasing," via Latin and French.
Full origin of idiom →Frequently asked questions
What does “idiom” mean?
The word “idiom” means a phrase whose meaning can't be worked out just from the words in it, such as "kick the bucket.". In plain terms, a fixed phrase with a meaning different from its literal words, or more broadly, a distinctive style.
How do you pronounce “idiom”?
“Idiom” is pronounced IH-dee-uhm (/ˈɪdiəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “idiom” in a sentence?
Here is “idiom” used in a sentence: “"Spill the beans" is an idiom meaning to reveal a secret.”
What is another word for “idiom”?
Words with a similar meaning to “idiom” include expression, form of words, idiotism, locution and phrase.
What part of speech is “idiom”?
“Idiom” is a noun.
Where does the word “idiom” come from?
The word “idiom” comes from Latin. From Greek idíōma, "peculiarity, particular phrasing," via Latin and French.
How many meanings does “idiom” have?
“Idiom” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a phrase whose meaning can't be worked out just from the words in it, such as "kick the bucket.".
