lexeme

noun

lex·​eme ˈlek-ˌsēm How to pronounce lexeme (audio)
: a meaningful linguistic unit that is an item in the vocabulary of a language
lexemic
lek-ˈsē-mik How to pronounce lexeme (audio)
adjective

Word History

Etymology

Greek lexis word, speech + English -eme — more at lexicon

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lexeme was in 1938

Rhymes for lexeme

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Browse Nearby Words

lex domicilii
lexeme
lex generalis
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Cite this Entry

“Lexeme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lexeme. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lexeme

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