analytic

American  

[an-l-it-ik] / ˌæn lˈɪt ɪk /

Also analytical

adjective

1. pertaining to or proceeding by analysis (synthetic ).

2. skilled in or habitually using analysis.

3. (of a language) characterized by a relatively frequent use of function words, auxiliary verbs, and changes in word order to express syntactic relations, rather than of inflected forms.

4. Logic. (of a proposition) necessarily true because its denial involves a contradiction, as “All husbands are married.”

5. Mathematics.

   1. (of a function of a complex variable) having a first derivative at all points of a given domain; holomorphic; regular.

   2. (of a curve) having parametric equations that represent analytic functions.

   3. (of a proof ) using analysis.

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analytic British  

/ ˌænəˈlɪtɪkəl, ˌænəˈlɪtɪk /

adjective

1. relating to analysis

2. capable of or given to analysing

   an analytic mind

3. Also: isolating.  linguistics denoting languages, such as Chinese, whose morphology is characterized by analysis Compare synthetic agglutinative polysynthetic

4. logic

   1. true by virtue of the meanings of the words alone without reference to the facts, as all spinsters are unmarried

   2. true or false by virtue of meaning alone; so all spinsters are married is analytically false Compare synthetic a priori

5. Also: regular.   holomorphic.  maths (of a function of a complex variable) having a derivative at each point of its domain

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Other Word Forms

• analytically adverb
• nonanalytic adjective
• nonanalytical adjective
• nonanalytically adverb
• overanalytic adjective
• overanalytical adjective
• overanalytically adverb
• semianalytic adjective
• semianalytical adjective
• semianalytically adverb
• unanalytic adjective
• unanalytical adjective
• unanalytically adverb

Etymology

Origin of analytic

First recorded in 1580–90; from Medieval Latin analȳticus, from Greek analȳtikós, from analy- ( analysis ) + -tikos -tic

Explanation

If you have an analytic mind, you are good at using logic to figure things out. You don't let emotion sway you. Doctors are trained to think in this way, as are scientists and engineers. Analytic derives from analysis, which means a thorough and detailed dissection of an object or an idea. Being analytic means that you think things through carefully and thoroughly. It may be more fun to fly by the seat of your pants and make all your decisions based on your gut instinct, but in the end, being analytic is safer.

Example Sentences

Off stage, Mr. Weir was personable and warm but highly analytic.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

It is difficult to determine the full impact of Skrmetti because it is so strangely constructed—a series of half-arguments and specious assumptions stitched together into one analytic trainwreck.

From Slate • Jun. 18, 2025

The alternation between analytic calm and hysteria can be exhausting.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2024

Cole said modern analytic tools assess how 45 pitches at Double-A compare with the same amount in the big leagues, where adrenaline is likely to be higher.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2024

The ancients longed for logos in its purest form—the clear light of analytic philosophy— to be the only effective component of an argument.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Related Words

• analytical
• investigative