language

The word “language” means a system of words and grammar used by a community to communicate. In plain terms, a system for communicating with words — spoken, written, or even in code — or, informally, swearing.

“Language” is pronounced LANG-gwihj (/ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

Here is “language” used in a sentence: “She grew up speaking three languages at home.”

Words with a similar meaning to “language” include computer language, programming language, machine language, leid, lingo and speech.

“Language” is a noun.

The word “language” comes from Latin. From Old French language, ultimately from Latin lingua, "tongue, speech.".

“Language” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Language” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a system of words and grammar used by a community to communicate.

A language is a full system of words and grammar shared by a community. A dialect is a regional or social variety of a language, differing in accent, vocabulary, or usage but still broadly understood by other speakers. The line can be blurry, and it is often said a language is just a dialect with an army and a navy.

Linguists count roughly 7,000 living languages worldwide, though the number shifts as some fade and others are newly documented. A handful, such as English, Mandarin, Spanish, and Hindi, have hundreds of millions of speakers, while many others are spoken by only small communities and are at real risk of disappearing.

Language takes many forms. Spoken and written languages are the most familiar, but there are also sign languages that use gesture and constructed languages invented for fiction or international use. The term stretches to cover body language and programming languages too, though its core sense is the natural speech shared by a community.

Yes. Children pick up their first language almost effortlessly, and there is a window in early childhood when this comes especially easily. Adults can still learn new languages successfully, though it usually takes more conscious study and practice. Motivation, exposure, and regular use matter more than age alone.