parlance

noun

par·​lance ˈpär-lən(t)s How to pronounce parlance (audio)
Synonyms of parlancenext
1
: speech
especially : formal debate or parley
… battle and not parlance should determine his right and title. —John Speed
2
: manner or mode of speech : idiom
The company's computer system had, in computer parlance, "crashed."

Examples of parlance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The song is going viral on TikTok with videos of people Crip-walking to it, which, in L.A. parlance, is weird. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2024 But that train had left the station—or in the parlance of Mad Max, that war rig had left the Citadel. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga will finally debut on May 24, but with Anya Taylor-Joy replacing Theron as the solo lead—there’s no Max in this movie. —Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 8 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for parlance 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parlance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parlaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French parlance, parlaunce "speech, gossip, debate," from parler "to speak, talk" + -aunce, -ance -ance — more at parley entry 2

Note: Parlance is much more amply attested in Anglo-French than in continental Old and Middle French, especially after ca. 1300. The Dictionnaire du moyen français has only marginal evidence for the word after 1350.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of parlance was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing parlance

Dictionary Entries Near parlance

parl

parlance

parlando

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Parlance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parlance. Accessed 29 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

parlance

noun
par·​lance ˈpär-lən(t)s How to pronounce parlance (audio)
: manner of speech

More from Merriam-Webster on parlance

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