WordGarden.iolingo
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈɪŋɡəʊ/
US
- /ˈlɪŋɡoʊ/
Meanings
Noun
the vocabulary or style of speech of a particular group
Beyond the definition
Ever notice how doctors talk to each other using words most of us don't understand? That's lingo - the special vocabulary or way of speaking used by a particular group. It can include technical terms, inside jokes, or just expressions that feel natural to the people who use them. Sailors have their own lingo, programmers have theirs, and even teenagers develop their own. Understanding someone's lingo is often part of understanding them.
Think about it like this: if you spend a lot of time around mechanics, you'll start picking up their lingo - terms like "torque" and "carburetor." If you join an online gaming group, you may hear short forms and phrases that make perfect sense to regular players but sound strange to everyone else. It's more than just words; it's also a way to show belonging and shared understanding.
Lingo refers to the language used by a particular group of people, often a profession, hobby group, or subculture. It's not necessarily formal or grammatically standard; in fact, it often includes jargon, slang, and special terms that outsiders might find confusing. Think of it as an "in-group" way of speaking that helps members communicate efficiently and recognize one another.
It's more than just vocabulary. It can also include pronunciation, phrasing, and shared cultural references. In many cases, using the right lingo shows that someone belongs to the group or understands its world.
You might hear about "police lingo" when watching crime dramas, or "tech lingo" when reading articles about Silicon Valley. Gamers have their own lingo filled with acronyms like "GG" (good game) and "AFK" (away from keyboard). Even within a single profession, different departments can develop their own unique lingo.
Sometimes lingo is used playfully to describe someone's tendency to use jargon or technical terms unnecessarily: "He was speaking all kinds of legal lingo; I couldn't understand a word!"
So, whether it's the specialized vocabulary of a trade, the slang of a generation, or simply a shared way of communicating, lingo is about belonging, identity, and the power of language to connect people within a specific community.
Examples
- 1
Tech meeting
I couldn't follow the meeting because everyone was using tech lingo.
- 2
Legal language
Can you explain it without all the legal lingo?
- 3
Restaurant work
After a few weeks at the restaurant, she started to pick up the kitchen lingo.
- Phrasepick up the lingo
learn the special words people use in a place or group
- 4
Travel
The guide taught us a few phrases in the local lingo before we walked through the market.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Finance
He speaks the lingo of finance, but he can also explain things in plain English.
- Phrasespeak the lingo
understand and use the words of a particular field or group
- 6
Company jargon
In company lingo, a "pulse check" just means a short survey.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- argot
- vernacular
- techspeak
Contrast
- plain language
Used with (collocations)
- industry lingo
- local lingo
- learn the lingo
Explore
- register
- insider vocabulary
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- lingonoun