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
Related Words
See orderly.
Other Word Forms
- intersystematic adjective
- intersystematical adjective
- nonsystematic adjective
- nonsystematical adjective
- oversystematic adjective
- oversystematicness noun
- presystematic adjective
- quasi-systematic adjective
- systematically adverb
- systematicness noun
- unsystematic adjective
- unsystematical adjective
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; system, -ic
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.
In 2024, the International Criminal Court indicted four Russian military officials over systematic strikes on Ukraine's power grid.
From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026
There’s no way to know how widespread or systematic those concentrations are without technical reports disclosing a project’s mineral contents and quality, he said.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026
Seama explains, "The underwater location allows us to implement systematic, large-scale surveys."
From Science Daily • Mar. 29, 2026
Michelle Welsh MP, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Maternity, says that needs to change: "There is a systematic toxic culture there that needs tackling and families deserve accountability and answers."
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
They were more logical and systematic than Van Riper, and they knew more.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
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.
