vernacular

8 synonyms and 1 antonym for vernacular, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The everyday, informal language spoken by ordinary people in a particular place, as opposed to formal or literary language.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

cant common

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

slang vulgar

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

jargon lingo argot patois

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The everyday, informal language spoken by ordinary people in a particular place, as opposed to formal or literary language.

“The novel is written in the local vernacular rather than standard English.”

cant slang jargon lingo argot patois

Opposites

unvernacular

2. adj

Relating to this kind of everyday, local language or style.

“The house is a fine example of vernacular architecture, built from local stone.”

vulgar common

How to use vernacular

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

local vernacular vernacular architecture everyday vernacular

Etymology

From Latin vernaculus, "native, domestic," originally describing something belonging to home-born slaves — later broadened to mean anything native or local.

Full origin of vernacular →

Frequently asked questions

What does “vernacular” mean?

The word “vernacular” means the everyday, informal language spoken by ordinary people in a particular place, as opposed to formal or literary language. In plain terms, the everyday way people actually talk (or build, or make things) in a particular place, as opposed to the "official" or formal version.

How do you pronounce “vernacular”?

“Vernacular” is pronounced vuh-NAK-yuh-luh (/vɚˈnækjəlɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “vernacular” in a sentence?

Here is “vernacular” used in a sentence: “The novel is written in the local vernacular rather than standard English.”

What is the opposite of “vernacular”?

The opposite of “vernacular” — its antonyms — is unvernacular.

What part of speech is “vernacular”?

Depending on how it is used, “vernacular” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “vernacular” come from?

The word “vernacular” comes from Latin. From Latin vernaculus, "native, domestic," originally describing something belonging to home-born slaves — later broadened to mean anything native or local.

Is “vernacular” a common word?

“Vernacular” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “vernacular” have?

“Vernacular” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the everyday, informal language spoken by ordinary people in a particular place, as opposed to formal or literary language.

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common cant slang vulgar jargon patois lingo argot

Nearby words

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