pidgin — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An amalgamation of two disparate languages, used by two populations having no common language as a lingua franca to communicate with each other, lacking formalized grammar and having a small, utilitarian vocabulary and no native speakers. The speech is slow and supported by mime and gesture.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   baragouin

   Examples

   ‘I didnʼt know you can speak pidgin,’ he said and laughed.

2. A person's business, occupation, work, or trade (also spelt as pigeon).

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Countable
   • idiomatic
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Forget money. That's my pidgin.

   More examples (1)

   It's up to the detective sergeant to ask his own questions, that's not my pidgin. But I did wonder if either of you gentlemen had an idea of the exact time of the shot.

Noun

1. an artificial language used for trade between speakers of different languages

   Broader terms

   artificial language