idiomatic
/ˌɪdɪəˈmatɪk
/adjective
1Using, containing, or denoting expressions that are natural to a native speaker: he spoke fluent, idiomatic English...
- One important component of successful language learning is the mastery of idiomatic forms of expression, including idioms, collocations, and sentence frames (collectively referred to here as formulaic sequences).
- Nevertheless, the expressions are idiomatic in the sense that their grammaticality cannot be ‘figured out’ solely by reference to general principles.
- Second, more specific aspects of idiomatic meaning are provided by the’ ontological mapping’ that applies to a given idiomatic expression.
Synonyms
natural, native-speaker, grammatical, correct;
vernacular, colloquial, everyday, conversational
2Appropriate to the style of art or music associated with a particular period, individual, or group: a short Bach piece containing lots of idiomatic motifs...
- We can reproduce original instruments, authentic period acoustics, idiomatic playing styles, etc, but the rock on which the musical purists must all eventually founder is that it is impossible to reproduce original listeners.
- When his music is performed with conviction, vocal beauty, and idiomatic French style Faust can still provide an engrossing evening of musical theater.
- And the main difference I think between freely improvised music and the musics you quoted is, that they are idiomatic and freely improvised music isn't.
Derivatives
idiomatically
/ adverb ...- Another composer who shows how particular artists can inspire compositions that are not only musically expressive, but also idiomatically impressive is Benjamin Britten, who had no reputation as a guitarist.
- The Royal Opera casts these roles well, though not idiomatically, with the Italian tenor Giuseppe Filianoti, the Bulgarian mezzo Vesselina Kasarova and the English bass Alastair Miles.
- And suppose you wanted to compose a work for the lyric stage, one that clearly and idiomatically had its roots in American soil.
Origin
Early 18th century: from Greek idiōmatikos 'peculiar, characteristic', from idiōma (see idiom).