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Synonyms

linguistic

American  
[ling-gwis-tik] / lɪŋˈgwɪs tɪk /

adjective

  1. of or belonging to language.

    linguistic change.

  2. of or relating to linguistics.


linguistic British  
/ lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪk /

adjective

  1. of or relating to language

  2. of or relating to linguistics

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of linguistic

First recorded in 1830–40; linguist + -ic


Explanation

Use the adjective linguistic to describe anything related to language, like the linguistic difficulties you might have if you visit a place where you do not speak the same language as everyone else. The word linguistic combines the noun linguist, meaning "a master of language, one who uses his tongue freely," with the adjective suffix -ic. It describes something that’s related to language, such as a linguistic theory about why some people drop the g sound in saying words ending in -ing. Or, if you want to brag about how good your vocabulary is, then rave about your linguistic skills.

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Vocabulary lists containing linguistic

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.

See Examples For:

Georgieva subsequently used the phrase “the nonhuman intellect” to avoid a linguistic controversy.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Secessionist movements regularly have "economic motivations," but typically those are married to a linguistic or nationalist component, Griffiths said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

This dual-language class is also a federally funded Head Start program — long considered a gold standard in early childhood education — and must integrate learning with each child’s cultural and linguistic upbringing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026

It is an awfully benign linguistic formulation for something that means “The machines are in charge and no longer paying attention to the humans.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

That genetic and linguistic uniformity of Indonesia and the Philippines is initially as surprising as is the predominant linguistic uniformity of China.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

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