Meaning & use

idiomatic

adjective·Academic

Last updated

Using expressions that are natural to native speakers of a language, or relating to idioms.

See it in a sentence

Her essay sounded idiomatic, as if written by a native English speaker.

Translating idiomatic phrases word for word often produces confusing results.

A note on using this word

Idiomatic language often can't be understood by translating each word literally, since idioms carry meanings beyond their individual words.

Words with a similar meaning

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

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

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