Solecism
noun
It is a mistake in grammar or in the way a language is used.
She corrected a few solecisms in the written article.
Often appears as...
- commit a solecism
- correct a solecism
Usage tips
Academic
noun
It is a thing that is wrong or unusual in a particular context.
It was considered a solecism for women to smoke in public.
Often appears as...
- considered a solecism
- regarded as a solecism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
noun
It is a mistake in grammar or in the way a language is used.
She corrected a few solecisms in the written article.
Often appears as...
- commit a solecism
- correct a solecism
Usage tips
Academic
noun
It is a thing that is wrong or unusual in a particular context.
It was considered a solecism for women to smoke in public.
Often appears as...
- considered a solecism
- regarded as a solecism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
A solecism can also imply cultural insensitivity or ignorance when speaking a foreign language.
Using the informal 'tu' instead of 'vous' in French to a stranger may be seen as a solecism.
Pro Tip 2/3Formal Writing
Avoiding solecisms is especially important in formal writing to maintain credibility.
Submitting an essay with solecisms can reduce your grade.
Pro Tip 3/3Language Nuances
Understanding local idioms and expressions can help avoid solecisms.
Saying 'I lost my heads' instead of 'I lost my head' is a solecism.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
A solecism can also imply cultural insensitivity or ignorance when speaking a foreign language.
Using the informal 'tu' instead of 'vous' in French to a stranger may be seen as a solecism.
Pro Tip 2/3Formal Writing
Avoiding solecisms is especially important in formal writing to maintain credibility.
Submitting an essay with solecisms can reduce your grade.
Pro Tip 3/3Language Nuances
Understanding local idioms and expressions can help avoid solecisms.
Saying 'I lost my heads' instead of 'I lost my head' is a solecism.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Sensitivity
A solecism can also imply cultural insensitivity or ignorance when speaking a foreign language.
Using the informal 'tu' instead of 'vous' in French to a stranger may be seen as a solecism.
Pro Tip 2/3Formal Writing
Avoiding solecisms is especially important in formal writing to maintain credibility.
Submitting an essay with solecisms can reduce your grade.
Pro Tip 3/3Language Nuances
Understanding local idioms and expressions can help avoid solecisms.
Saying 'I lost my heads' instead of 'I lost my head' is a solecism.
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Quote examples
Will Self
English Author
In truth, even if they have an imperfect insight into their own methods, I still slightly mistrust writers of fiction who are assured literary critics; it makes me suspect that they favour the word over the world it should describe. Such scribes fall victim too easily to the solecism of equating style with morality.
Quote examples
Will Self
English Author
I like texting as much as the next kidult - and embrace it as yet more evidence, along with email, that we live now in the post-aural age, when an unsolicited phone call is, thankfully, becoming more and more understood to be an unspeakable social solecism, tantamount to an impertinent invasion of privacy.
Quote examples
Will Self
English Author
To purposely concoct older characters of a sunny disposition would be as much of a solecism as deliberately fabricating arrhythmic blacks, spendthrift Jews, slacker Japanese and so on.
Quote examples
James Q. Wilson
American Politician
A government without the power of defense! It is a solecism.
Quote examples
Will Self
English Author
In truth, even if they have an imperfect insight into their own methods, I still slightly mistrust writers of fiction who are assured literary critics; it makes me suspect that they favour the word over the world it should describe. Such scribes fall victim too easily to the solecism of equating style with morality.
Quote examples
Will Self
English Author
I like texting as much as the next kidult - and embrace it as yet more evidence, along with email, that we live now in the post-aural age, when an unsolicited phone call is, thankfully, becoming more and more understood to be an unspeakable social solecism, tantamount to an impertinent invasion of privacy.
Quote examples
Will Self
English Author
To purposely concoct older characters of a sunny disposition would be as much of a solecism as deliberately fabricating arrhythmic blacks, spendthrift Jews, slacker Japanese and so on.
Quote examples
James Q. Wilson
American Politician
A government without the power of defense! It is a solecism.
Example 1 of 4
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