languages
/ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒɪz/
NOUN
1. Systems of human communication
Structured systems of spoken, written, or signed symbols and grammatical rules shared by communities and used to communicate thoughts, information, and ideas.
1.1. Human and national languages
Distinct systems of communication used by particular peoples, nations, or communities, each with its own vocabulary, grammar, and conventions.
Synonyms
- tongues
- mother tongues
- vernaculars
Examples
- The school offers courses in several foreign languages.
- Many indigenous languages are at risk of disappearing.
- Languages evolve as communities interact and exchange ideas.
Related Words
- native languages
- foreign languages
- second languages
- lingua francas
- indigenous languages
- dialects
- multilingualism
- bilingualism
1.2. Regional and local language varieties
Distinct forms of a language associated with particular geographical regions or communities, characterized by differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
Synonyms
- dialects
- vernaculars
- patois
- regional languages
Examples
- The researchers documented several regional languages spoken in the mountainous communities.
- Local dialects preserve expressions that are rarely used elsewhere.
- Some regional languages have developed independently over centuries.
Related Words
1.3. Sign languages
Visual languages that communicate meaning through hand movements, facial expressions, and body positions, particularly within deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.
Synonyms
- signed languages
Examples
- Several sign languages are used by deaf communities around the world.
- The university offers courses in different signed languages.
- Sign languages have their own grammatical structures and vocabulary.
Related Words
- American Sign Language
- British Sign Language
- fingerspelling
- signing
- visual communication
- deaf culture
- gestures
NOUN
2. Specialized systems of communication
Distinctive forms of vocabulary, expression, and terminology used by particular professions, social groups, or communities.
2.1. Professional and technical terminology
Specialized vocabulary and expressions used within particular professions, academic disciplines, or technical fields.
Synonyms
- jargons
- lingos
- argots
- cants
- terminologies
Examples
- Medical languages can be difficult for patients to understand.
- The researchers compared the technical languages used in different scientific disciplines.
- Legal professionals often use specialized terminology in their documents.
Related Words
- technical vocabulary
- computerese
- technobabble
- bureaucratese
- educationese
- shoptalk
- professional parlance
2.2. Informal and group-specific speech
Distinctive informal expressions and vocabulary associated with particular social groups, subcultures, or communities.
Synonyms
- slangs
- lingos
- argots
- cants
Examples
- Different generations often develop their own slangs and expressions.
- The study examines the informal languages used by online communities.
- Some group-specific expressions eventually become part of everyday speech.
Related Words
- colloquialisms
- patois
- street talk
- jive
- shoptalk
- localisms
- vernaculars
2.3. Regional and community-specific expressions
Distinctive words, expressions, and linguistic conventions associated with particular local communities or cultural groups.
Synonyms
- vernacularisms
- regionalisms
- localisms
- provincialisms
Examples
- The dictionary records regionalisms found in several rural communities.
- Local languages preserve expressions that reflect the area's cultural history.
- The author incorporated vernacular expressions into the dialogue.
Related Words
NOUN
3. Manners and styles of expression
Particular ways of communicating thoughts, feelings, or information through the selection and arrangement of words and expressions.
3.1. Ways of expressing thoughts
Distinctive forms or styles of verbal expression used to convey ideas, opinions, or emotions.
Synonyms
- expressions
- dictions
- parlances
- phraseologies
- wordings
Examples
- The speeches used different languages to communicate the same message.
- The author carefully selected the languages used by each character.
- The report contains expressions that could be interpreted in several ways.
Related Words
- phrasings
- locutions
- utterances
- enunciations
- formulations
- styles
- voices
3.2. Individual speech patterns
Distinctive personal systems of expression characterized by an individual's habitual vocabulary, phrasing, and linguistic choices.
Synonyms
Examples
- The linguist compared the idiolects of several speakers.
- The two writers have noticeably different dictions.
- Each character's individual speech patterns help establish a distinct personality.
Related Words
- speech patterns
- personal vocabulary
- individual styles
- phraseologies
- locutions
- voices
3.3. Written and literary expression
Forms of verbal expression used in written works, literature, and other forms of composition.
Synonyms
- wordings
- phrasings
- phraseologies
- dictions
Examples
- The translations preserve the distinctive languages of the original authors.
- The editor revised several wordings to improve clarity.
- Literary works often reflect the language styles of their periods.
Related Words
- belles-lettres
- literary styles
- prose
- rhetoric
- formulations
- coinages
- neologisms
NOUN
4. Systems of communication in animals
Systems of sounds, movements, chemical signals, or other signals through which animals convey information to one another.
4.1. Animal communication systems
Methods of communication used by animals to convey information about warnings, mating, territory, food, and social relationships.
Synonyms
- animal communication systems
- signaling systems
Examples
- Scientists study the communication systems of whales and dolphins.
- Different bird species use distinctive calls to communicate.
- Researchers investigate how animals exchange information through chemical signals.
Related Words
- birdsong
- animal calls
- alarm calls
- pheromones
- vocalizations
- courtship signals
- gestures
- communication signals
NOUN
5. Formal languages used in computing
Structured systems of symbols, syntax, and rules used to represent information or provide instructions for computers.
5.1. Programming languages
Formal languages consisting of defined syntax and instructions that programmers use to develop software and control computer operations.
Synonyms
- computer languages
- coding languages
- programming languages
Examples
- Developers use different programming languages to build web applications.
- The course introduces several computer languages.
- Understanding syntax is essential when learning new programming languages.
Related Words
- Python
- Java
- JavaScript
- PHP
- C++
- source code
- syntax
- compiler
- interpreter
5.2. Machine and assembly languages
Low-level computer languages that represent processor instructions directly or through symbolic representations closely related to machine operations.
Synonyms
- machine languages
- machine codes
Examples
- Machine languages consist of instructions that processors can execute directly.
- Assembly languages provide symbolic representations of machine instructions.
- The compiler translates high-level code into machine code.
Related Words
- assembly languages
- binary code
- opcodes
- instruction sets
- processor instructions
- low-level programming
NOUN
6. Profanity and obscene expressions
Words and expressions considered vulgar, offensive, or socially inappropriate, particularly those used to express anger, contempt, or strong emotions.
6.1. Swearing and vulgar expressions
Obscene, profane, or offensive words used in speech, often to express anger, frustration, or contempt.
Synonyms
- profanities
- obscenities
- swearwords
- expletives
- curses
- cusswords
- vulgarisms
Examples
- The film contains several profanities and obscenities.
- The teacher asked students to avoid using offensive languages.
- The argument included curses and other vulgar expressions.
Related Words
- four-letter words
- dirty words
- epithets
- imprecations
- maledictions
- oaths
- scurrilities
NOUN
7. Flat plates in organ pipes
Small flat plates or tongues positioned in or below the flue pipes of certain musical organs.
7.1. Components of organ pipes
Flat metal plates, known as languets, associated with the construction of certain organ pipes and their sound-producing mechanisms.
Synonyms
- languets
Examples
- The technician inspected the languets inside the restored organ pipes.
- Damaged languets can affect the sound quality of an organ.
- The instrument maker replaced several metal plates during the restoration.
Related Words
- pipe organs
- flue pipes
- organ stops
- wind chests
- organ components