language
A system of words and rules used for communication.
Word facts
Definition
Language is a system of words, signs, or sounds that people use to communicate with each other. Human language allows us to share ideas, feelings, stories, and information. Every human culture has developed its own language or languages.
Usage: Language can refer to a specific language (the English language), a type of communication (the language of music), or the general concept (language is what makes us human). A language learner is someone studying a language that is not their first.
Example sentences
- 1
She speaks three languages: English, Spanish, and Japanese.
- 2
The language of science uses very precise terms to avoid confusion and ambiguity.
- 3
Body language can communicate emotions that words sometimes cannot capture.
Word family
From Old French langage and Latin lingua ('tongue'). The tongue is the organ most associated with speech, so 'tongue' became a metaphor for language itself. This is why we still say 'mother tongue' to mean first language.
Language comes from 'langue' — the French word for tongue. Your language is literally what your tongue has learned to say.
Explore this word in Word Lab
FAQ
Questions people ask
How many languages are in the world?
Linguists estimate there are around 7,000 languages spoken in the world today, though many are endangered or spoken by very small communities.
What is the difference between language and dialect?
A language is a broader communication system, while a dialect is a regional or social variation of that language. The boundary between the two is often cultural and political, not purely linguistic.
How many syllables does language have?
Language has 2 syllables: lan-guage. The stress is on the first syllable: LAN-gwij.
What does 'body language' mean?
Body language refers to the non-verbal signals people communicate through posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact.