idiom Definition

idiom
noun

1. An expression with a meaning which cannot be guessed at or derived from the meanings of the individual words which form it.

Example: The idiom ‘to have a chip on one's shoulder' is of US origin
2. The syntax, grammar and forms of expression peculiar to a language or a variety of language.
3. The language, vocabulary, forms of expression, etc used by a particular person or group of people.

Thesaurus: dialect, idiolect, jargon, language, style, usage, vernacular.
4. The characteristic style or forms of expression of a particular artist, musician, artistic or musical school, etc.

Derivative: idiomatic

Characteristic of a particular language.

Tending to use idioms; using idioms correctly.
Example: fluent idiomatic French

Derivative: idiomatically
adverb

Etymology: 16c: from French idiome, from Latin idioma, from Greek idios own.