Patois
noun /ˈpatwa/ — A regional dialect distinct from the standard language.
Definition
A regional dialect of a language — a variety spoken by people of a particular area or social group, differing from the standard language in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation; often associated with working-class or rural communities.
Beyond the definition
A patois is a dialect with a social history — it is usually the language of those without institutional power, which is why it has historically been stigmatized. But patois carries the full emotional freight of identity and community.
Origin & history
French patois (rough speech, provincial dialect), possibly from Old French patoier (to handle clumsily). The condescending origin — the way a dog handles things with its paw — reflects the attitude that produced the word.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Her grandmother spoke a patois that mixed French and Creole and that she had never entirely understood.
The novel preserved a regional patois that had been dying for forty years.
Code-switching between patois and standard English is a daily performance of social identity.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Patois” when the meaning fits your context: A regional dialect of a language — a variety spoken by people of a particular area or social group, differing from the standard language in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation; often associated with working-class or rural communities.
Synonyms
Antonyms
standard language, formal register
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Relaxed Local Cafe Chat
Two adults chat in a local café, using natural hand gestures and a comfortable, unpretentious way of speaking.
The way the adults speak in the local cafe illustrates a patois—the regional or social variety of language used in a specific community. Their relaxed, natural register contrasts with standard language, reflecting the common dialect of their everyday life.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Patois" mean?
Patois is noun meaning: A regional dialect distinct from the standard language.. A regional dialect of a language — a variety spoken by people of a particular area or social group, differing from the standard language in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation; often associated with working-class or rural communities.
Where does the word "Patois" come from?
French patois (rough speech, provincial dialect), possibly from Old French patoier (to handle clumsily). The condescending origin — the way a dog handles things with its paw — reflects the attitude that produced the word.