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rainbow coalition

(British, Ireland, politics) A government consisting of a coalition of three or more parties, particularly parties with divergent ideologies.

ˈɹeɪnˌboʊ ˌkoʊəˈlɪʃənCurrent211 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇬🇧 British & Irish slang
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UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK

(British, Ireland, politics) A government consisting of a coalition of three or more parties, particularly parties with divergent ideologies.

Origin: Named after the colours associated with various parties: red for Labour, blue for the Conservatives, etc. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

Rainbow coalition means: A government consisting of a coalition of three or more parties, particularly parties with divergent ideologies.. It is mainly Irish English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

rainbow coalition means: A government consisting of a coalition of three or more parties, particularly parties with divergent ideologies.. Register: informal, Irish English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

Cluster: approval
Heard in the wild
  • “Based on this polling the next government would be FF/FG/II/Aontu. Anti-Rainbow Coalition.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers

Rainbow coalition means: A government consisting of a coalition of three or more parties, particularly parties with divergent ideologies.. It is mainly Irish English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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🇬🇧About British & Irish slang slang

UK and Irish slang — Cockney, Scouse, Geordie, Yorkshire, Glaswegian, Brummie, Welsh, West Country, plus Irish English. Centuries of regional dialects feeding into modern British and Irish street talk.

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