- 1[countable] a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words “Let the cat out of the bag” is an idiom meaning to tell a secret by mistake. Thesaurusword
- term
- phrase
- expression
- idiom
- word a single unit of language that means something and can be spoken or written:Do not write more than 200 words. He uses a lot of long words.
- term (somewhat formal) a word or phrase used as the name of something, especially one connected with a particular type of language:technical/legal/scientific terms “Old man” is a slang term for “father.”
- phrase a group of words that have a particular meaning when used together:Who coined the phrase “desktop publishing” (= used it for the first time)? In grammar, a phrase is a group of words without a finite verb, especially one that forms part of a sentence: “the green car” and “on Friday morning” are phrases.
- expression a word or phrase:He tends to use lots of new expressions that I've never heard before.
- idiom a group of words whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words:“To let the cat out of the bag” is an idiom meaning to tell a secret by mistake.
- a(n) word/term/expression for something
- a new word/term/phrase/expression
- a technical/colloquial/slang word/term/phrase/expression
- an idiomatic phrase/expression
- to use a(n) word/term/phrase/expression/idiom
- to coin a(n) word/term/phrase/expression
- a(n) word/term/phrase/expression/idiom means something
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- 2[uncountable, countable] (formal) the kind of language and grammar used by particular people at a particular time or place
- 3[uncountable, countable] (formal) the style of writing, music, art, etc. that is typical of a particular person, group, period, or place the classical/contemporary/popular idiom
Check pronunciation: idiom