noun
lingo
LIHNG-goh
Lingo (noun) means the specialized vocabulary or way of speaking used by a particular group, trade, or region; jargon. Example: “It took her weeks to pick up the office lingo.”
noun
1
The specialized vocabulary or way of speaking used by a particular group, trade, or region; jargon.
"Nobody could make out plain what she said, for she was mainly jabbering Swede lingo, but there was English enough, of a kind, to give us some idee."
— Joseph Crosby Lincoln (1913)
"It took her weeks to pick up the office lingo."
"Sailors have their own lingo for weather and rigging."
How to use lingo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual word for the special vocabulary or slang used by a group of people.
When to use it
Informal — fine in conversation, but "terminology" or "jargon" reads better in formal writing.
Common pairings
technical lingo
legal lingo
pick up the lingo
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Word forms
- Plural
- lingos, lingoes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It took her weeks to pick up the office _____.
Etymology
From Latin lingua, "tongue" or "language," with a casual -o ending tacked on.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for lingo
See all rhymes for lingo →Frequently asked questions
What does “lingo” mean?
The word “lingo” means the specialized vocabulary or way of speaking used by a particular group, trade, or region; jargon. In plain terms, a casual word for the special vocabulary or slang used by a group of people.
How do you pronounce “lingo”?
“Lingo” is pronounced LIHNG-goh (/ˈlɪŋ.ɡoʊ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “lingo” in a sentence?
Here is “lingo” used in a sentence: “It took her weeks to pick up the office lingo.”
What part of speech is “lingo”?
“Lingo” is a noun.
Where does the word “lingo” come from?
The word “lingo” comes from Latin. From Latin lingua, "tongue" or "language," with a casual -o ending tacked on.
