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
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.
My problem is when breaking is used — to borrow pro-wrestling parlance — to create a cheap pop. —Tony Maglio, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025 Does Slot’s casual use of xG in a press conference suggest that advanced metrics have become fully embedded in football’s mainstream parlance? —Mark Carey, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025 Wilmore, who wore an unmarked suit, was making his fifth spacewalk, often called extra-vehicular activity in the parlance of space agencies. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 Image ‘Eureka Day’ Mansplaining, virtue signaling and new-age parlance set the lexicon for Jonathan Spector’s hilarious play about a progressive preschool rocked by a vaccination debate. —Rachel Sherman, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for parlance 

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 21 Feb. 2025.

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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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for parlance

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