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language

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90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

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noun

/ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/

singular	language
plural	languages

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Metaphor

1
[uncountable] the method of human communication using spoken or written words
Linguistics is the study of language and how people use it.
language skills:
They have no money, no home, no food, and no language skills.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of language
1. a.
  the style or types of words used by a person or group
  slightly formal language
  He was shocked at how crude their language was.
  bad/foul language (=language that might offend people):
  My kids have started using the foul language they hear on television.
  ordinary/plain language:
  In ordinary language, 'larceny' means 'stealing' or 'theft'.
  spoken language:
  a comparison between spoken and written language
  strong language (=swearing):
  Mrs Beeson did not normally use strong language, and certainly not in public.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of language
2
[countable] the particular form of words and speech that is used by the people of a country, area, or social group
There is a legacy of African languages in many parts of the Caribbean.
English and French are the official languages of Canada.
speak a language:
An announcer spoke a language Richard had never heard before.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of language
3
[countable/uncountable] signs, symbols, sounds, and other methods of communicating information, feelings, or ideas
the language of dance
the language of mathematics
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of language
1. a.
  computing a system of instructions used to program a computer
  Which computer languages do you know?
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of language

phrases

mind/watch your language
to make sure that you use words that will not offend people
'Just you watch your language,' snarled Swain.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of language
speak/talk the same language
to have the same ideas and attitudes as someone else
We have to be sure we're speaking the same language.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of language

See also

Metaphor: language

Metaphor

Language and words are like food, and the emotions that words express are like flavours.

It took me a long time to digest the news.
The technical name for it is a bit of a mouthful
We were chewing over what they had told us.
He spat the words out.
It's a rather indigestible book.
The unpalatable truth is that too many schools are still failing their students.
He spoke bitterly about his family.
They made some very acid remarks.
Lou said sourly that she hadn't wanted to go anyway.
Inside the card was a sickly/sugary poem.
She swore she'd make them eat their words.
We sat and chewed the fat all evening.

Language and speech are like animal noises, especially when people are expressing particular attitudes or emotions.

He barked out a series of orders.
'I've so enjoyed our little chat,' she purred.
They were bleating about how unfair it all was.
Ben grunted his agreement.
The other team were crowing about their victory.
'Get out of my way!' he snarled.
'What's wrong now?' he bellowed.
They all hooted with laughter.
'I knew this would happen,' she cackled.
He was braying about his latest successful sale.

➡ argument, communicate, conversation, criticize

This is the British English definition of language. View American English definition of language.

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View the pronunciation for language.

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