The meaning of IDIOLECT is the language or speech pattern of one individual at a particular period of life. Definition of idiolect noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. Learn what idiolect means with clear definitions, pronunciation, synonyms, and real-world examples. Simple explanations to help you use idiolect correctly. An idiolect is the distinctive speech of an individual—a linguistic pattern regarded as unique among speakers of a person's language or dialect. Idiolect is an individual's unique use of language, including speech. This unique usage encompasses a person's active vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. This differs from a dialect, a common set of linguistic characteristics shared among a group of people. The term is etymologically derived from the prefix idio-, from Ancient Greek ἴδιος, ídios, 'own, personal, private, peculiar. Factsheet What does the noun idiolect mean? There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun idiolect. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence. IDIOLECT definition: 1. the form of a language that a particular person speaks 2. the form of a language that a…. Learn more.