the language or speech of one individual at a particular period in life.

use of a language and of other social norms that are proper to a given enunciator.

"The Particular Speech Pattern of an Individual." This word was formed by taking the word "dialect," and replacing "dia-" with "idio-." As "dia-" implied "shared," "idio-" denotes singularity, from the Greek "idios" = "private or personal." The "-lect" part derives from the Greek root "lekt" meaning "spoken."

Dialect spoken by an individual.

An idiolect is a variety of a language unique to an individual. It is manifested by patterns of word selection and grammar, or words, phrases, idioms, or pronunciations that are unique to that individual. Every individual has an idiolect; the grouping of words and phrases is unique, rather than an individual using specific words that nobody else uses.