Etymology Map
Back to all words

Colloquial

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means used in ordinary conversation

Where does the word "colloquial" come from? It comes from Latin colloquium, adopted directly into English (1750s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
colloquium
Latin · ancient
"conversation"
'com-' plus 'loqui', to speak
2
Stage 2 of 2
colloquial
English · 1750s
"conversational"
'colloquium' as a seminar dates from the 1800s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Colloquial’s story begins in Latin: colloquium meant “conversation.” 'com-' plus 'loqui', to speak. It reached English by 1750s as colloquial. 'colloquium' as a seminar dates from the 1800s. Today, colloquial means used in ordinary conversation.