Use colloquy for a formal exchange of views, not for ordinary small talk or a casual chat.
Use colloquy for a formal exchange of views, not for ordinary small talk or a casual chat.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| We had a colloquy about weekend plans. | We had a conversation about weekend plans. |
| The email sounded too colloquy. | The email sounded too colloquial. |
| The judge held a quick chat instead of a plea colloquy. | The judge held a plea colloquy. |
Use colloquy for these pedagogical texts when the focus is a set of model dialogues, not a modern lesson plan in general.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The Spanish textbook includes a colloquy about ordering coffee. | The Spanish textbook includes a dialogue about ordering coffee. |
| The chemistry class studied a colloquy on acids. | The chemistry class studied a case study on acids. |
| She wrote a colloquy for a modern drama class. | She wrote a dialogue for a modern drama class. |
Use colloquy as a verb only in deliberately formal or historical prose, since converse, discuss, or talk is usually plainer.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| They colloquied the proposal for ten minutes. | They discussed the proposal for ten minutes. |
| I colloquied with my neighbor about the weather. | I talked with my neighbor about the weather. |
| The panel colloquy about the evidence. | The panel colloquied about the evidence. |
Use colloquy for formal discussion first, and reserve the classical-text and verb senses for specialist or deliberately elevated contexts.
Colloquy is confused with colloquial, though colloquy names a conversation while colloquial describes informal conversational language.
From Latin colloquium, "conversation" or "conference", formed from com-, "together", and loqui, "to speak".
What does colloquy mean?
Colloquy most often means a formal conversation, discussion, or exchange of views.
Is colloquy the same as colloquial?
No. Colloquy is a noun for a conversation, while colloquial is an adjective for informal conversational language.
What is a plea colloquy?
A plea colloquy is a formal exchange in court where a judge checks that a defendant understands a plea and its consequences.
What does colloquy mean in classical studies?
In classical studies, a colloquy is a scripted dialogue used to teach or practise Latin, Ancient Greek, or a related classical language.
Can colloquy be a verb?
Yes, but the verb colloquy is rare and formal. It means to converse or hold a formal discussion.
How is colloquy pronounced?
Colloquy is pronounced /ˈkɑːləkwi/.
Where does colloquy come from?
Colloquy comes from Latin colloquium, built from elements meaning together and speak.