dialect

noun

ˈdī-ə-ˌlekt How to pronounce dialect (audio)
Definition of dialectnext
as in terminology
the special terms or expressions of a particular group or field the promotional team for the new computer used a dialect full of acronyms that the press found difficult to follow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dialect Rusyn, which enjoys protected minority-language status in Slovakia and Poland, is treated within Ukraine as a mere dialect. — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 Kerr, for example, questioned Valdez’s command of English given his use of Caló, a culturally specific dialect that blends Mexican Spanish slang with English. — Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 16 July 2026 Textbooks were in German, classmates spoke a Saxon dialect, while my grandfather’s novels were in Romanian. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026 In India, the book Why Tibet Matters has been translated into 15 local dialects to galvanize solidarity among the host community. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dialect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dialect
  1. terminology
  2. language
  3. vocabulary
  4. slang
Noun
  • Regulating invasive plants is a complicated business, and the terminology is not standard.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Why The Vocabulary Isn't The Problem MCP, connectors, plugins, MCP apps—the terminology multiplied faster than anyone explained it, so people treat them as competing choices.
    — Penta Rao Marapatla, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of terminology
Noun
  • Speaking to Radio Jornalera NJ, an independent Spanish language media outlet, Lopez-Cornejo’s mother, María, said her son took medication for diabetes, high blood pressure, and seizures.
    — Alex Stambaugh, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • That language was taken from an earlier regulatory proposal that went before a Quorum Court committee, the Kutak Rock attorney noted.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • For decades, fashion has expanded that vocabulary, introducing new cuts and silhouettes with the promise that each one says something different about the person wearing it.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 31 July 2026
  • This requires deployment at the edge, integration into proprietary data pipelines, fine-tuning for domain-specific vocabularies, and compliance with local data sovereignty laws.
    — Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of vocabulary
Noun
  • Kerr, for example, questioned Valdez’s command of English given his use of Caló, a culturally specific dialect that blends Mexican Spanish slang with English.
    — Carlos Aguilar, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
  • Their influence stretched beyond music into fashion, dance trends and slang, and as member Pimpin' noted, fans are still doing the group's signature dance more than two decades later, something a SeaWorld whale recently proved.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Definition of slang

Browse Nearby Words

dial
dialect
dialectal
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Cite this Entry

“Dialect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dialect. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dialect

Nglish: Translation of dialect for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dialect

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