Definition of IDIOMATIC

idiomatic

Plural: idiomatics

Adjective

  • of or relating to or conforming to idiom
    • "idiomatic English"

Adj

  • Pertaining or conforming to idiom, the natural mode of expression of a language.
  • Resembling or characteristic of an idiom.
  • Relating to parts or pieces which are written both within the natural physical limitations of the instrument and human body and, less so or less often, the styles of playing used on specific instruments.

Noun

  • Synonym of idiom.

Examples

  • An idiomatic phrase that warns us against Pollyannaism is "don't count your chickens before they hatch".
  • In English, the only idiomatic position for a pronoun as the object of a phrasal verb is before the particle, whereas a noun as object can fall either before or after the particle; thus only he picked them up but either he picked his tools up or he picked up his tools.
  • The inclusion or omission of definite articles follows idiomatic norms in each language and depends on context and intent.

Origin / Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἰδιωματικός (idiōmatikós, “related to an idiom”), from ἰδίωμα (idíōma, “idiom”).

Synonyms

idiomatical, idiom

Scrabble Score: 14

idiomatic: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
idiomatic: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
idiomatic: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

idiomatic: valid Words With Friends Word