argot — meaning in English

English meaning

• argot noun A secret language or conventional slang peculiar to thieves, tramps and vagabonds.
• cant noun The specialized jargon of a particular trade, class, or group.
• slang noun Very informal words and phrases not used in standard, formal speech or writing.

Senses

argot is used for these senses in English:

• argot A secret language or conventional slang peculiar to thieves, tramps and vagabonds.
• cant (countable, uncountable) A private or secret language used by a religious sect, gang, or other group.
• slang Language outside of conventional usage and in the informal register.

argot — full definition

1. noun A secret language or conventional slang peculiar to thieves, tramps and vagabonds.
2. noun The specialized informal vocabulary and terminology used between people with special skill in a field, such as between doctors, mathematicians or hackers.
3. noun A strongly marked style of speaking.

cant — full definition

1. noun The specialized jargon of a particular trade, class, or group.
2. noun Insincere or hypocritical talk, especially moralizing speech.
3. noun A tilt, slope, or angled position.
4. verb To tilt or set something at an angle.

Related French words