dialect

/ˌdaɪəˈlɛkt/

/ˈdaɪəlɛkt/

Other forms: dialects

If the language you speak in your region is different in vocabulary, grammar and accent than the main form of the language, you speak a dialect. If your cousin in rural Arkansas can't understand your jokes, blame it on differences in dialect.

Both an accent and a dialect contain variations in pronunciation from the standard form of a language. When you speak a dialect, however, you also use different words and grammar, sometimes to such a degree that speakers of the dialect and the standard form of the language have a hard time understanding each other.

Definitions of dialect

1. noun

   the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people
   “the immigrants spoke an odd dialect of English”

   “it has been said that a language is a dialect with an army and navy”

   synonyms: accent, idiom

   types:

   eye dialect

   the use of misspellings to identify a colloquial or uneducated speaker

   patois

   a regional dialect of a language (especially French); usually considered substandard

   brogue

   a strong regional accent, especially an Irish or Scottish accent

   type of:

   non-standard speech

   speech that differs from the usual accepted, easily recognizable speech of native adult members of a speech community