idiom
ˈɪdiˌɒm
idiomata
Definition Synonyms

Definition of idiom - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
non-literal expressionTECH.expression with a meaning not deducible from individual wordsTECH.
  • It's raining cats and dogs is a common idiom.
expression phrase
2.
unique expressionTECH.manner of speaking unique to a language or groupTECH.
  • The idiom of the region is hard to understand.
expression phrase
3.
artTECH.characteristic style in art, music, or architectureTECH.
  • The building reflects the idiom of modern architecture.
expression style
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Expressions with idiom

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expression with a meaning different from its words
'Kick the bucket' is a phrasal idiom meaning to die.

Origin of idiom

Greek, idioma (peculiarity)

Terms with idiom included in their meaning

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idiom
trivially easy task or responsibility
idiom meaning
additional event making an outcome more certain, often a collapse
idiom
speak at length, pressing someone to notice a matter
idiom praise
something considered extremely good or innovative
idiom success
express that calm people succeed in difficult situations
idiom
surprise someone when they are unprepared or vulnerable
idiom effort
try to obtain something very difficult or impossible
idiom contradiction
enjoy two desirable things that usually cannot coexist

Examples of idiom in a sentence

  • He used an idiom to express his feelings.
  • His writing style is full of local idioms.
  • Understanding idioms is key to mastering a language.
  • Her paintings embody the idiom of abstract expressionism.
  • The symphony captures the idiom of the Romantic era.

View all translations of idiom

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:expression idiomatique, langage, ...
  2. German:Redewendung, Idiom, ...
  3. Italian:modo di dire, idioma, ...
  4. Spanish:modismo, idioma, ...
  5. Portuguese:expressão idiomática, idioma, ...
  6. Chinese:习语, 风格, ...
  7. Japanese:慣用句, 方言, ...
  8. Arabic:تَعبير اصطِلاحي, أُسْلُوب, ...
  9. Hebrew:נִיב, לָשׁוֹן, ...
  10. Russian:идиома, стиль, ...
  11. Ukrainian:фразеологізм, ідіоматика, ...
  12. Hindi:मुहावरा, अद्वितीय अभिव्यक्ति, ...
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