Meaning & use

argot

noun·Advanced

A specialized vocabulary or set of phrases used by a particular group, often to distinguish insiders from outsiders.

See it in a sentence

Sailors developed their own argot, full of terms landlubbers rarely understood.

Understanding the argot of computer programmers takes months for a complete beginner.

A note on using this word

Often implies secrecy or exclusivity, historically associated with criminal or subcultural groups more than ordinary jargon.

Words with a similar meaning

jargonslang

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

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