collocationnoun
uk/ˌkɒl.əˈkeɪ.ʃən/us/ˌkɑː.ləˈkeɪ.ʃən/specializedB2 [ C ] also collocate, a word or phrase that is often used with another word or phrase, in a way that sounds correct to people who have spoken the language all their lives, but might not be expected from the meaning:
In the phrase "a hard frost", "hard" is a collocation of "frost" and "strong" would not sound natural.
B2 [ C ] the combination of words formed when two or more words are often used together in a way that sounds correct:
The phrase "a hard frost" is a collocation.
[ U ] the regular use of some words and phrases with others, especially in a way that is difficult to guess
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Linguistics: sentences & expressions
- anagram
- cliché
- cliché-ridden
- coin
- compound sentence
- concessive clause
- declarative sentence
- expression
- figure of speech
- fronting
- mission statement
- nugget
- phrasing
- proverb
- refrain
- relative clause
- simple sentence
- tail
- the operative word idiom
- war cry
See more results »