Words that describe language

Cultured

Educated, polished, refined, sophisticated language

Jargon

Language that comes from a specialized field that people within the field are familiar with (computers, sports, business, etc.)

Obscure

Language that has hidden meanings that are difficult to understand

Esoteric

Language that has hidden meanings; private; secret; confidential

Insipid

Language that is dull or uninteresting

Vulgar

Language that is offensive

Colloquial

Language that is ordinary and familiar; everyday language

Archaic

Language that is outdated, no longer commonly used

Pedantic

Language that is overly concerned with little details and sounding really academic; language in which a person is trying to show off how smart he/she is by using "big" words

Homespun

Language that is plain, unsophisticated; the way an "average Joe" would speak

Detached

Language that is unemotional, distanced

Euphemistic

Language that is used to politely talk about something that is usually offensive

Trite

Language that is worn out, full of clichés; language that doesn't really say anything important

Obtuse

Language that lacks intelligence or significant meaning; dull writing

Bombastic

Language that sounds arrogant, like you're trying to impress someone

Moralistic

Language that tries to teach morals or right and wrong; writing that sort of preaches message or lesson about life

Learned

Sophisticated, academic language

Idiomatic

Using many idioms, which are sort of unusual expressions or sayings in a particular language

Sensuous

Writing that appeals to the senses, especially writing that creates a sexual or seductive mood/tone

Pretentious

Writing that exaggerates how smart a person is; when a person is trying to sound superior and brilliant