Pronunciation: /ˈsɑləˌsɪzəm/

Definitions of solecism

noun a breach of good manners or etiquette; a socially awkward or tactless act

Example Sentences

A1 She made a solecism by using the wrong fork at dinner.

A2 The teacher corrected the student's solecism in grammar during class.

B1 His solecism in pronunciation made it difficult to understand what he was saying.

B2 The politician's solecism in the debate cost him the election.

C1 The author's novel was criticized for its solecisms in historical accuracy.

C2 The professor's solecism during the lecture surprised his colleagues.

Examples of solecism in a Sentence

formal Using 'they' as a singular pronoun is considered a solecism in formal writing.

informal Making grammatical errors like that is a big solecism.

slang Don't be a solecism, dude.

figurative His lack of manners was a solecism in an otherwise elegant dinner party.

Grammatical Forms of solecism

past tense

solecised

plural

solecisms

comparative

more solecistic

superlative

most solecistic

present tense

solecises

future tense

will solecise

perfect tense

have solecised

continuous tense

is solecising

singular

solecism

positive degree

solecistic

infinitive

to solecise

gerund

solecising

participle

solecised

Origin and Evolution of solecism

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Ancient Greek
Story behind the word: The word 'solecism' originated from the Ancient Greek word 'soloikismos', which referred to a mistake in speech or writing.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the meaning of 'solecism' has evolved to also include a breach of good manners or etiquette, in addition to linguistic errors.