Word: Language

Pronunciation

/ˈlæŋgwɪdʒ/

Definitions

• Noun: A system of communication consisting of sounds, words, and grammar used by humans, with different systems serving as the primary means of communication within different societies or cultures. For example: “She speaks three languages fluently.”
  • Also used metaphorically: “Mathematics is often described as the universal language of science.”
• Verb: To use a particular language or to communicate in it. For example: “The child began to language at an early age.”
• As a mass noun: The ability to communicate or express oneself through speech or writing. For example: “Poetry is a powerful language of emotion.”

Phrases

• “Language barrier”: Difficulty in communication due to speaking different languages.
• “Learn a language”: To acquire the skills to speak or understand a new language.
• “Mother tongue / native language”: The first language one learns and the language spoken in one’s home country or community.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “English is my second language, but I’m working hard to improve my proficiency.”
• Verb: “They language differently in formal settings compared to informal ones.”

Synonyms

• Tongue
• Speech
• Vernacular
• Dialect
• Idiom
• Communication system
• Linguistic system
• Means of expression

Phrases using ‘language’

• “In plain language”: To express something in simple terms that are easy to understand.
• “Lost for words / at a loss for language”: Unable to find the right words to express oneself.
• “Body language”: Nonverbal communication expressed through physical behavior, posture, and gestures.

Antonyms

• Silence (in the context of verbal language)
• Illiteracy (in the context of written language)

Note: The verb form of “language” is less commonly used than the noun form and typically refers to a more abstract or theoretical use of language rather than everyday communication.