jargon
Jargon (noun) means Specialized vocabulary used by people in a particular profession or field, often hard for outsiders to follow. Example: “The contract was full of legal jargon that confused the client.”
How to use jargon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInsider language or technical terms specific to a group, which can sound like gibberish to anyone outside it.
Often used disapprovingly, implying language is needlessly complex or exclusionary.
Word forms
jargoned past tense, jargons plural, jargons singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The contract was full of legal _____ that confused the client.
Etymology
From Old French jargon, originally meaning idle chatter or the twittering of birds, before narrowing to mean specialist or insider language.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for jargon
See all rhymes for 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.
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