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

Other Word Forms

• scientifically adverb
• antiscientific adjective
• antiscientifically adverb
• counterscientific adjective
• nonscientific adjective
• nonscientifically adverb
• prescientific adjective
• proscientific adjective
• quasi-scientific adjective
• quasi-scientifically adverb
• superscientific adjective
• superscientifically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of scientific¹

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

Example Sentences

But her approach – associating so closely with the animals she studied, naming them and even referring to them as "my friends" - made her unpopular with the male-dominated scientific establishment.

From BBC

But Goodall overcame her critics and produced work that Gould later characterized as “one of the Western world’s great scientific achievements.”

From Los Angeles Times

Her observations challenged years of conventional scientific thinking and shaped the future of evolutionary science.

From BBC

Or France’s First Lady Brigitte Macron, who is planning to present photographic and scientific evidence that she was born female in court after months of rightwing influencer Candace Owens claiming that she was born male.

From Salon

Food and Drug Administrator Dr. Marty Makary sent to physicians this week made clear that “a causal relationship” between autism and acetaminophen “has not been established and there are contrary studies in the scientific literature.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• experimental 
• mathematical 
• objective