language noun

1 system of communication

ADJ. first, native She grew up in Spain, so her first language is Spanish. | foreign, second How many foreign languages does she speak? the teaching of English as a second language | original Most local cinemas show films in the original language, with German subtitles. | source, target (both technical) | ancient, classical, dead Latin is a dead language. | modern | common, shared | indigenous, local | official Belgium has two official languages. | national Portuguese is the national language of Brazil. | international | minority Some minority languages are dying out. | spoken, written She could speak some Chinese, but never studied the written language. | colloquial, everyday, informal | formal | flowery, literary, poetic | racist, sexist | sign Not all deaf people use sign language. | body, non-verbal You could tell from his body language that he was very embarrassed. | legal, technical, etc. | computer, programming

VERB + LANGUAGE speak | understand | use | learn, study | master | be couched in, be expressed in | enrich idiomatic expressions that enrich the language

LANGUAGE + NOUN acquisition, learning new methods of language learning | course, lesson

PREP. in … ~ His letter was couched in very formal language.

PHRASES command/knowledge/mastery of (a) language Her command of language is very advanced for a six-year-old. | use of language The writer's use of language reflects the personality of each character.

2 offensive words

ADJ. bad, crude, foul, obscene, offensive, strong using foul language

VERB + LANGUAGE use | mind, watch The referee warned the players to mind their language. > Note at LANGUAGE

You can also check other dicts: language (English, 中文解释 ), wordnet sense, Collins Definition

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