jargon
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for jargon, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Specialized vocabulary used by people in a particular profession or field, often hard for outsiders to follow.
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.
Antonyms
How to use jargon
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
technical jargon
legal jargon
industry jargon
cut the jargon
Often used disapprovingly, implying language is needlessly complex or exclusionary.
Etymology
From Old French jargon, originally meaning idle chatter or the twittering of birds, before narrowing to mean specialist or insider language.
Full origin of jargon →Frequently asked questions
What does “jargon” mean?
The word “jargon” means specialized vocabulary used by people in a particular profession or field, often hard for outsiders to follow. In plain terms, insider language or technical terms specific to a group, which can sound like gibberish to anyone outside it.
How do you pronounce “jargon”?
“Jargon” is pronounced JAH-guhn (/ˈd͡ʒɑɹ.ɡən/ in IPA).
How do you use “jargon” in a sentence?
Here is “jargon” used in a sentence: “The contract was full of legal jargon that confused the client.”
What is another word for “jargon”?
Words with a similar meaning to “jargon” include vernacular, language, phraseology, parlance, sublanguage and terminology.
What is the opposite of “jargon”?
The opposite of “jargon” — its antonyms — is vernacular.
What part of speech is “jargon”?
“Jargon” is a noun.
Where does the word “jargon” come from?
The word “jargon” comes from Old French. From Old French jargon, originally meaning idle chatter or the twittering of birds, before narrowing to mean specialist or insider language.
Is “jargon” a common word?
“Jargon” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
