Word
vernacular
Phoneticsver·nac·u·lar, stress on the second syllable
US/vɝˈnækjəɫɝ/
UK/vɜːnˈækjʊlɐ/
Definitions
01everyday speech
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. the common, everyday language that people speak in a particular country or region.
n. the native language or dialect of a specific population, especially as distinguished from a literary, national, or standard language.
“The poet wrote in the local vernacular so that ordinary people could understand his work.”
“While the official documents were written in Latin, the common people communicated exclusively in the Italian vernacular of the period.”
Usage
Often used with the definite article 'the'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02group-specific language
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Academic
n. the special words or way of speaking used by a specific group of people.
n. the specialized vocabulary or idiom peculiar to a specific profession, social group, or subculture.
“It takes a few months to learn the technical vernacular used by the software engineers.”
“The legal vernacular can be impenetrable to laypeople, often requiring a solicitor to translate complex jargon into plain English.”
Synonyms
03local architecture
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Architecture Technical
n. a style of building that uses local materials and traditional methods rather than modern or imported designs.
n. an architectural style based on local needs, availability of construction materials, and reflecting regional traditions.
“The village is famous for its beautiful stone houses built in the traditional vernacular.”
“Modern architects often study the local vernacular to create sustainable buildings that naturally regulate temperature using traditional regional techniques.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04spoken or local
C1 · Advanced Academic
adj. describing something that is in the common, everyday style of a specific place.
adj. relating to or using the everyday language of a specific place; also relating to regional building traditions.
“The singer is known for using vernacular expressions from her hometown in her lyrics.”
“The project aimed to preserve vernacular architecture before the unique wooden structures were replaced by generic concrete blocks.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“The recommended common name for the monkey, Likweli, is a vernacular name given to the species by the Balanga people living in communities bordering its range, the researchers said.” “In their different ways, both Stravinsky and Copland turned to the vernacular to lend authenticity and atmosphere to their ballet scores.” Etymology
From Latin vernāculus (“domestic, indigenous, of or pertaining to home-born slaves”), from verna (“a native, a home-born slave (one born in his master's house)”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/vernacular