What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sublanguage
Example
The medical sublanguage can be difficult for non-experts to understand. [sublanguage: noun]
Example
Computer programming has its own sublanguage with unique syntax and terminology. [sublanguage: noun]
lingo
Example
I don't understand the legal lingo used in this contract. [lingo: noun]
Example
The teenagers were speaking in their own lingo that I couldn't decipher. [lingo: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lingo is more commonly used than sublanguage in everyday language. Lingo is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sublanguage is less common and is mostly used in academic or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sublanguage and lingo?
Sublanguage is typically more formal than lingo, and is often used in academic or technical contexts. Lingo, on the other hand, is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
