semiology

Or se·mei·ol·o·gy

[see-mee-ol-uh-jee, sem-ee-, see-mahy-]

noun

1. the study of signs and symbols; semiotics.

semiology

/ ˌsiːmɪ-, ˌsɛmɪəˈlɒdʒɪk, ˌsɛmɪˈɒlədʒɪ, ˌsiːmɪ- /

noun

1. another word for semiotics

Other Word Forms

• semiologic adjective
• semiological adjective
• semiologist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of semiology¹

1885–90; < Greek sēmeîo ( n ) sign + -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of semiology¹

C17 (in the sense ``sign language''): from Greek sēmeion sign + _-logy

Example Sentences

And in the semiology of clothing, a dress often suggests “woman.”

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At that time I was in graduate school, preparing my dissertation in the semiology of cinema.

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There’s even a new word — the “mangeosphère,” or roughly the eating sphere — coined by the French daily Le Monde for these discussions on the semiology of a ham sandwich or an apple.

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A heart pendant made of rhinestones and poured glass, part of the semiology Saint Laurent used to designate a favorite model in a runway show, joined a display of replica jewels.

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Indeed, one of the most striking aspects of the show is how familiar most of the clothing semiology is.

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