semantic

adjective

se·​man·​tic si-ˈman-tik How to pronounce semantic (audio)
variants or less commonly semantical
si-ˈman-ti-kəl How to pronounce semantic (audio)
1
: of or relating to meaning in language
the process of semantic development
In real estate, there's more than a semantic difference between a dead end and a cul-de-sac.—Sue Corbett
The semantic debate over their very job title speaks to the apparent discomfort some landlords are feeling about their business model—housing as a commodity.—Bridget Read
2
: of or relating to semantics
semantically
si-ˈman-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce semantic (audio)
adverb

Examples of semantic in a Sentence

the process of semantic development
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The agent can query a semantic view, calculate a risk position and act. — Jay Limburn, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 The difference is more than semantic. — Catherine Tansey, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026 That distinction may sound technical or semantic. — Phil Lodico, Fortune, 20 June 2026 And yet behind the semantic debate are important decisions that will shape the future of corporate climate action. — Justin Worland, Time, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for semantic

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek sēmantikós "(of sounds) conveying meaning, significant, (of a circumstance) indicative," from sēmantós, verbal adjective of sēmaínein "to indicate, point out, signify, make a signal, give a sign, (in middle voice) mark, identify" (verbal derivative from the base of sēmat-, sêma "distinguishing mark, sign, token, signal, omen, tomb" and sēmeîon "marking, sign, token, signal") + -ikos -ic entry 1; sēm- in sêma and sēmeîon of uncertain origin

Note: The base sēm-, Doric sām- has been compared with Sanskrit dhyāma "thought" (attested only in lexica) and dhyā́yati "s/he thinks, contemplates." Greek sêma would then be the outcome of Indo-European *dhi̯eh2-mn̥-. The meanings "sign" and "thought" are too far apart, however, to support such an etymology. The derivative sēmeîon is peculiar in that -mat- is a suffix and would not ordinarily be split apart in order to add another suffix. A comparable formation is mnêma "reminder, record, memorial" and the near-synonymous mnēmeîon, though in this case the ulterior etymology is clear.

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of semantic was in 1890

Rhymes for semantic

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Browse Nearby Words

semanteme
semantic
semantic conception
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Cite this Entry

“Semantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semantic. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

semantic

adjective
se·​man·​tic si-ˈmant-ik How to pronounce semantic (audio)
1
: of or relating to meaning in language
2
: of or relating to semantics
semantically
-ˈmant-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce semantic (audio)
adverb

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