noun
Uncommon
dialect
DEYE-uh-lehkt
Dialect (noun) means a form of a language spoken in a particular region or by a particular group, differing from the standard version in vocabulary, grammar, or pronunciation. Example: “The novel is written partly in a Yorkshire dialect.”
noun
1
A form of a language spoken in a particular region or by a particular group, differing from the standard version in vocabulary, grammar, or pronunciation.
"The novel is written partly in a Yorkshire dialect."
"He grew up speaking a regional dialect at home and standard English at school."
"Visitors sometimes struggle to follow the broad dialect spoken in the fishing village."
How to use dialect
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA regional or social variety of a language, with its own words, sounds, or grammar quirks.
Common mistake
A dialect isn't automatically "incorrect" language — linguists treat dialects as equally valid, just different, versions of a language.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
regional dialect
speak in dialect
a dialect of Chinese
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like dialect.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- dialects
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The novel is written partly in a Yorkshire _____.
Etymology
From French dialecte, from Greek dialektos ("conversation, local speech"), from dialegesthai ("to converse").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “dialect” mean?
The word “dialect” means a form of a language spoken in a particular region or by a particular group, differing from the standard version in vocabulary, grammar, or pronunciation. In plain terms, a regional or social variety of a language, with its own words, sounds, or grammar quirks.
How do you pronounce “dialect”?
“Dialect” is pronounced DEYE-uh-lehkt (/ˈdaɪ.əˌlɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “dialect” in a sentence?
Here is “dialect” used in a sentence: “The novel is written partly in a Yorkshire dialect.”
What part of speech is “dialect”?
“Dialect” is a noun.
Where does the word “dialect” come from?
The word “dialect” comes from French. From French dialecte, from Greek dialektos ("conversation, local speech"), from dialegesthai ("to converse").
Is “dialect” a common word?
“Dialect” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a "dialect" and a "language"?
A dialect is a regional or social variation of a language that differs in vocabulary, grammar, or pronunciation but remains largely mutually understandable with other varieties of that language. A separate language is usually distinguished by a lack of mutual intelligibility, though in practice the line between dialect and language can be blurry and is often influenced by political or cultural factors rather than linguistics alone.
What is the difference between a "dialect" and an "accent"?
An accent refers only to differences in pronunciation, while a dialect involves differences in vocabulary and grammar as well as pronunciation. In other words, every dialect includes an accent, but an accent alone does not make something a distinct dialect.
Does speaking a "dialect" mean someone is speaking incorrectly?
No, a dialect is simply a legitimate regional or group variation of a language rather than an incorrect version of a standard form. Linguists treat dialects as equally valid systems of communication, even though one dialect may be designated the "standard" for education or official use.
