lingo

noun

lin·​go ˈliŋ-(ˌ)gō How to pronounce lingo (audio)
plural lingos or lingoes
: strange or incomprehensible language or speech: such as
a
: a foreign language
It can be hard to travel in a foreign country if you don't speak the lingo.
b
: the special vocabulary of a particular field of interest
The book has a lot of computer lingo.
c
: language characteristic of an individual
He has his own lingo … and at the top of each shift, he delivers a monologue that sets the table for his show.Tim Sullivan

Examples of lingo in a Sentence

It can be hard to travel in a foreign country if you don't speak the lingo. The book has a lot of computer lingo that I don't understand.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The two television stars jokingly showed off their knowledge of Gen Z lingo while presenting the award for best actress in a limited series or a movie made for TV at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards on Friday, Feb. 7. Raven Brunner, People.com, 8 Feb. 2025 Harry isn’t always up to speed on the most politically correct lingo. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Feb. 2025 But slang can also be used to demean, bully, or belittle others, so parents should be aware of trendy lingo their kids are using in their day-to-day life. Kara Nesvig, Parents, 15 Jan. 2025 But like so many words our kids use these days, brain rot has brought digital lingo into the real world. Sari Hitchins, Parents, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for lingo 

Word History

Etymology

probably from Lingua Franca, language, tongue, from Occitan, from Latin lingua — more at tongue

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lingo was in 1659

Dictionary Entries Near lingo

Cite this Entry

“Lingo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lingo. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

lingo

noun
lin·​go ˈliŋ-gō How to pronounce lingo (audio)
plural lingoes
: language that is strange or hard to understand

More from Merriam-Webster on lingo

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