scientific

[ sahy-uhn-tif-ik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to science or the sciences:

   scientific studies.

2. occupied or concerned with science:

   scientific experts.

3. regulated by or conforming to the principles of exact science:

   scientific procedures.

4. systematic or accurate in the manner of an exact science.

scientific

/ ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk /

adjective

1. prenominal of, relating to, derived from, or used in science

   scientific equipment

2. prenominal occupied in science

   scientific manpower

3. conforming with the principles or methods used in science

   a scientific approach

Derived Forms

• ˌscienˈtifically, adverb

Other Words From

• scien·tifi·cal·ly adverb
• anti·scien·tific adjective
• anti·scien·tifi·cal·ly adverb
• counter·scien·tific adjective
• nonsci·en·tific adjective
• nonsci·en·tifi·cal·ly adverb
• presci·en·tific adjective
• prosci·en·tific adjective
• quasi-scien·tific adjective
• quasi-scien·tifi·cal·ly adverb
• super·scien·tific adjective
• super·scien·tifi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of scientific¹

1580–90; < Medieval Latin scientificus, equivalent to scient- ( science ) + -i - -i- + -ficus -fic

Example Sentences

The story of fluoridation reads like a postmodern fable, and the moral is clear: a scientific discovery might seem like a boon.

From The Daily Beast

And Epstein continues to steer money toward universities to advance scientific research.

From The Daily Beast

Their three-day scientific outing was paid for by Epstein and was big success.

From The Daily Beast

She wanted to know what happened over five years, or even 10, but the scientific literature had little to offer.

From The Daily Beast

By the late 1600s, chemists and herbalists had begun to concoct their own scientific mixtures for curing the hangover.

From The Daily Beast

All that scientific bric-a-brac in the cupboard had far better be thrown away.

From Project Gutenberg

They are raised on the strictest scientific principles and yield me the greater part of my income.

From Project Gutenberg

The duke was agricultural above all things; he had a model estate bristling with scientific improvement.

From Project Gutenberg

The gauge of railways in Great Britain was not fixed upon any scientific principle.

From Project Gutenberg

By the adoption of scientific principles Hope-Jones has multiplied the efficiency of Swell boxes tenfold.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• experimental
• mathematical
• objective