systematic
Americanadjective
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having, showing, or involving a system, method, or plan.
a systematic course of reading; systematic efforts.
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given to or using a system or method; methodical.
a systematic person.
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arranged in or comprising an ordered system.
systematic theology.
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concerned with classification.
systematic botany.
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pertaining to, based on, or in accordance with a system of classification.
the systematic names of plants.
adjective
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characterized by the use of order and planning; methodical
a systematic administrator
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comprising or resembling a system
systematic theology
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Also: systematical. biology of or relating to the taxonomic classification of organisms
Synonym Usage
See orderly.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of systematic
First recorded in 1670–80; from Late Latin systēmaticus, from Greek systēmatikós, equivalent to systēmat- (stem of sýstēma ) “system” + -ikos adjective suffix; see origin at system, -ic
Explanation
Systematic describes something that is planned out and careful. In your systematic search for your mother's car keys, you start in one room, looking everywhere from bottom to top before moving to the next room. Use the adjective systematic to describe things that are orderly and efficient. The Latin root of systematic is systema, an arrangement or system. Think about a multi-step process that you have found the fastest and best way to complete — you do it over and over. You might be systematic about packing for a long trip or the way you travel up and down the aisles at a grocery store, probably with a list in your hand.
Vocabulary lists containing systematic
List 6
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Holes
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The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Systematic trend and multistrategy funds, which can go long and short on futures for stock indexes and commodities such as oil, also did well.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
This chart from Mark Rzepcznski of the Disciplined Systematic Global Macro blog shows that, this year, there’s a positive correlation between the 30-year Treasury and the S&P 500, while for other maturities it’s negative.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 6, 2025
Systematic reviews have shown green tea leads to weight loss in people with obesity, lower levels of certain types of cholesterol, and reduced blood pressure.
From Salon • Nov. 7, 2024
University of Cincinnati Associate Professor Takuya Konishi and his international co-authors described the mosasaur and placed it in a taxonomic context in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.
From Science Daily • Dec. 12, 2023
Systematic election, as I have shown, puts limitations on this.
From The Teacher Essays and Addresses on Education by Palmer, Alice Freeman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
