lexical
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to the words or vocabulary of a language, especially as distinguished from its grammatical and syntactical aspects.
-
of, relating to, or of the nature of a lexicon.
adjective
-
of or relating to items of vocabulary in a language
-
of or relating to a lexicon
Other Word Forms
- lexicality noun
- lexically adverb
Etymology
Origin of lexical
Explanation
Something that is lexical is related to words. A dictionary is lexical, as is a tongue-twister! Lexicon is a fancy word for a dictionary. The word lexical is an adjective that describes anything that pertains to words or vocabulary, or to even language more generally. Solving a crossword puzzle is a lexical activity. A linguist, or someone who studies words for a living, has a lexical job. If you find yourself frequently correcting people when they misuse words, then it's likely you have a love of all things lexical.
Vocabulary lists containing lexical
A Mango-Shaped Space
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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.
For 35 years, Mr. Self has continued in a similar vein, dazzling and sometimes wearying his readers with his madcap plots and lexical pyrotechnics.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
It said the word -- chosen through a combination of public voting, sentiment and analysis of OUP's "lexical data" -- had "captured our emotions" this year.
From Barron's • Dec. 1, 2025
That fastidiousness has not stopped the lexical war over his work in recent months, as judges across the country read opposite meanings into “rebellion.”
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025
"Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the dictionary," said lexical programme manager Colin McIntosh.
From BBC • Aug. 17, 2025
In the simpler case of lexical ambiguity, an individual word has two meanings, as in the headlines Safety Experts Say School Bus Passengers Should Be Belted and New Vaccine May Contain Rabies.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
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.
