vernacular

UK: /və^rˈnækjʊlə^r/

US: /vɚˈnækjəlɚ, vəˈnæk-/

US: (vər nak′yə lər, və nak′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ver•nac•u•lar /vɚˈnækyəlɚ, vəˈnæk-/   adj. 

1. Linguistics (of language) native or spoken in a particular area;
   indigenous (opposed to literary or learned ).
2. Linguistics of, pertaining to, or using such a language.
3. Linguistics using plain, everyday, ordinary language.

n. [countable]

4. Linguistics the native speech or language of a place, esp. the particular language of a place.
5. Linguistics the plain variety of language in everyday use by ordinary people:
   In the local vernacular, anyroad means anyway.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ver•nac•u•lar  (vər nak′yə lər, və nak′-), adj. 

1. Linguistics (of language) native or indigenous (opposed to literary or learned).
2. Linguistics expressed or written in the native language of a place, as literary works:
   a vernacular poem.
3. Linguistics using such a language:
   a vernacular speaker.
4. Linguistics of or pertaining to such a language.
5. Linguistics using plain, everyday, ordinary language.
6. Architecture of, pertaining to, or characteristic of architectural vernacular.
7. noting or pertaining to the common name for a plant or animal.
8. [Obs.] (of a disease) endemic.

n. 

9. Linguistics the native speech or language of a place.
10. Linguistics the language or vocabulary peculiar to a class or profession.
11. Linguistics a vernacular word or expression.
12. Linguistics the plain variety of language in everyday use by ordinary people.
13. the common name of an animal or plant as distinguished from its Latin scientific name.
14. Architecture a style of architecture exemplifying the commonest techniques, decorative features, and materials of a particular historical period, region, or group of people.
15. any medium or mode of expression that reflects popular taste or indigenous styles.

• Latin vernācul(us) household, domestic, native (apparently adjective, adjectival use of vernāculus, diminutive of verna slave born in the master's household, though derivation unclear) + -ar¹
• 1595–1605

ver•nac′u•lar•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 9, 10. See language. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

vernacular / vəˈnækjʊlə/ noun

1. the vernacular ⇒ the commonly spoken language or dialect of a particular people or place
2. a local style of architecture, in which ordinary houses are built: this architect has re-created a true English vernacular

adjective

1. relating to, using, or in the vernacular
2. designating or relating to the common name of an animal or plant
3. built in the local style of ordinary houses, rather than a grand architectural style

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin vernāculus belonging to a household slave, from verna household slave

verˈnacularly adverb