language

language — noun

1. the natural human ability to use sounds, words, and grammatical rules in order t

1.nounA2
Definition

the natural human ability to use sounds, words, and grammatical rules in order to share thoughts, information, and feelings with others

Example

Talia believes that learning a second language as a child helps the brain develop.

The study of language explores how people across the world form sentences.

uncountable: 'language' without article for general concept

Common collocations
  • spoken language
  • human language
  • language development
  • the origin of language
  • the study of language
Synonyms
  • speech

    more specific, focuses on spoken rather than written communication

  • communication

    broader — includes gestures, signs, and images, not just words and grammar

  • verbal expression

    more formal; emphasises the act of putting thoughts into words

Antonyms
  • silence

    the absence of spoken communication

Grammar Patterns

the + language + of

language + is

human + language

Usage Note

Uncountable in this sense — do not say 'a language' when referring to the general human ability to communicate.

Common Mistakes

Language are essential for humans.
Language is essential for humans.
This sense is uncountable and takes a singular verb.

2. a particular system of words, pronunciation, and grammar that is spoken or writt

2.nounA1
Definition

a particular system of words, pronunciation, and grammar that is spoken or written by the people of a specific country, region, or community

Example

Jiwoo speaks three languages fluently — Korean, English, and Japanese.

The Portuguese language is spoken by more than two hundred million people worldwide.

countable: 'a language' / 'the [adj] language' patterns

Common collocations
  • native language
  • foreign language
  • second language
  • official language
  • mother tongue
  • language barrier
Synonyms
  • tongue

    more poetic or literary; often appears in 'mother tongue'

  • dialect

    a regional variety of a language, not a distinct language system

  • speech

    can refer to a specific language variety, but less common in this sense

Grammar Patterns

a + language

the + [nationality] + language

[country] + language

speak + language

Usage Note

Countable when referring to a specific named language system ('three languages,' 'a language I learned'). Also used uncountably with the definite article when naming the language: 'the French language.'

Common Mistakes

I speak three language.
I speak three languages.
Language is countable when listing specific languages.
She speaks a good Japanese.
She speaks good Japanese.
Do not use 'a' before the name of a language.

3. a carefully designed set of symbols, words, and rules that programmers use to wr

3.nounB1
Definition

a carefully designed set of symbols, words, and rules that programmers use to write instructions for computers to follow

Example

Liam learned the Python programming language to build data analysis tools.

JavaScript is a common language used to make websites interactive.

Common collocations
  • programming language
  • coding language
  • scripting language
  • a language designed for
  • written in [language]
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

programming + language

a + language

[name] + language

Usage Note

Countable when naming specific programming languages ('Python is a language'). Like sense 2, the structure 'the Java language' is common.

Common Mistakes

I am learning a programming language name Python.
I am learning a programming language called Python.
Use 'called' or 'named' to introduce the language's name.

4. the particular choice of words, sentence structures, and tone that a person or g

4.nounB2
Definition

the particular choice of words, sentence structures, and tone that a person or group uses when speaking or writing in a given situation

Example

The prime minister's language grew more aggressive during the election campaign.

Femi admired the rich, poetic language in the novel about rural Nigeria.

[adjective] + language: describing style or register

Common collocations
  • formal language
  • poetic language
  • everyday language
  • legal language
  • strong language
  • the language of politics
Synonyms
  • diction

    more technical; refers specifically to word choice in speech or writing

  • phraseology

    more formal; emphasises the typical way of arranging phrases

  • register

    linguistics term for the level of formality in a given context

Grammar Patterns

[adjective] + language

the + language + of

Usage Note

Almost always appears with a preceding adjective or modifying phrase that describes the type of expression (formal, poetic, legal, everyday, etc.).

Common Mistakes

She has a very formal language.' (ambiguous)
She uses very formal language.
Use 'use' or 'speak in,' not 'have,' when describing someone's style.

5. the collection of specialized words and expressions that belong to a particular

5.nounB2
Definition

the collection of specialized words and expressions that belong to a particular job, academic field, or area of activity

Example

Medical language can be confusing for patients reading their own test results.

Hamza did not understand the legal language in the rental agreement.

Common collocations
  • technical language
  • medical language
  • legal language
  • scientific language
  • the language of business
Synonyms
  • jargon

    can have a negative connotation of being unnecessarily complicated or exclusive

  • terminology

    more formal; refers to the set of terms in a field

  • specialist vocabulary

    emphasises that the words are not used in everyday speech

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

[field] + language

the + language + of + [field]

Usage Note

Frequently modified by a field-name adjective (medical, legal, technical) or 'the language of [field].' This sense overlaps with 'jargon' but is more neutral.

6. words that are considered rude, offensive, or socially unacceptable, especially

6.nounB1
Definition

words that are considered rude, offensive, or socially unacceptable, especially swear words or vulgar expressions

Example

The film contains strong language and may not be suitable for children.

Mert's mother told him to watch his language when his younger cousins visited.

fixed phrase: 'watch your language' — a polite warning

Common collocations
  • bad language
  • strong language
  • foul language
  • watch your language
  • mind your language
Synonyms
  • swear words

    more specific; refers only to individual taboo words like profanities

  • profanity

    more formal; refers to language that shows disrespect for sacred things

  • curse words

    common in American English; slightly less intense than 'swear words'

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

bad + language

strong + language

foul + language

Usage Note

Never used alone without a modifier in this sense. 'He used language' does not clearly mean swearing; you need 'bad,' 'strong,' or 'foul.'

Common Mistakes

He used language in the meeting.' (ambiguous)
He used bad language in the meeting.
A modifier is needed to convey the meaning of offensive speech.

7. a system of signs, movements, gestures, sounds, or symbols that people or animal

7.nounB1
Definition

a system of signs, movements, gestures, sounds, or symbols that people or animals use to express ideas, feelings, or information without using words

Example

Élise could tell from his body language that he did not agree with her.

Sign language allows deaf people to communicate naturally using hand movements.

common fixed expression: 'body language' / 'sign language'

Common collocations
  • body language
  • sign language
  • the language of dance
  • the language of art
  • animal language
Synonyms
  • non-verbal communication

    more formal; covers all communication without words

  • gestures

    narrower — only hand and body movements, not sounds or symbols

  • signs

    focuses on conventionalised symbols rather than natural expressions

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

[modifier] + language

the + language + of

Usage Note

Almost always requires a modifier ('body language,' 'sign language,' 'the language of dance') to specify the type of non-verbal system being referred to.

Common Mistakes

I could read his language.
I could read his body language.
Without 'body,' the meaning is unclear in this sense.
Idioms

mind / watch your language

idiom

to be careful about what you say in order to avoid being rude or offensive

The librarian asked the teenagers to mind their language inside the reading room.

You had better watch your language when speaking to the judge in court.

speak / talk the same language

idiom

to understand another person easily because you share similar opinions, values, or ways of thinking

Élise and her new boss spoke the same language from their very first meeting.

The two engineers talked the same language when discussing the project.

mind/watch your language

idiom

To choose your words carefully so that you do not make someone angry or upset.

Mom told me to watch my language when I complained about dinner.

Did the coach ask the players to mind their language after the argument?

speak/talk the same language

idiom

To have similar opinions or experiences that make communication easy.

Maya and her new colleague quickly found they spoke the same language.

When Brian met Diego, they talked the same language about music.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words relate to how people communicate within a community, but they differ in scope and connotation. 'Language' (sense 2) is the broadest term, referring to a full system of communication used by a nation or region, such as Japanese or Arabic. 'Tongue' is more literary and emotional, often appearing in fixed phrases like 'mother tongue' — it emphasises personal or cultural identity rather than the formal system. 'Dialect' refers to a regional or social variety within a language that differs in pronunciation, vocabulary, or grammar but is still mutually intelligible with other varieties; for example, Cantonese is considered a dialect of Chinese by some scholars. 'Vernacular' describes the everyday language spoken by ordinary people in a region, as opposed to the formal or literary standard. 'Speech' is the most general — it can mean any act of speaking but is also used historically to mean a language variety ('one's native speech'). In everyday use, if you want to name a country's official communication system, use 'language.' For a local form, use 'dialect.' For poetic or identity-focused contexts, 'tongue' works well. For example: 'Mandarin is the official language of Taiwan,' but 'my grandmother's village dialect sounds quite different from the standard.'

tongue ↗dialect ↗vernacularspeech ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • language barrier
  • language skills
  • language learning
  • language teacher
  • language development
  • language policy

Phrases

  • the language of [field]
  • a command of language
  • language for specific purposes

Prepositions

  • in (in language / in a language)
  • of (the language of [field])

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'language' entered Middle English around the 13th century from Old French 'langage,' which itself came from Latin 'lingua' meaning 'tongue' or 'speech.' The Latin root 'lingua' is also the source of modern words like 'linguistics' (the study of language) and 'bilingual' (speaking two languages). The original link between 'tongue' (the body part) and 'language' (the system of communication) reflects how closely speech is tied to the physical organ that produces it. The computing sense appeared in the mid-20th century, modelled on the idea of a 'language' as a structured system of symbols and rules.