lexical

[ lek-si-kuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the words or vocabulary of a language, especially as distinguished from its grammatical and syntactical aspects.
2. of, relating to, or of the nature of a lexicon.

lexical

/ ˌlɛksɪˈkælɪtɪ; ˈlɛksɪkəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to items of vocabulary in a language
2. of or relating to a lexicon

Derived Forms

• lexicality, noun
• ˈlexically, adverb

Other Words From

• lexi·cali·ty noun
• lexi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lexical¹

First recorded in 1830–40; lexic(on) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Now by the late 2nd century AD, the Roman Empire was indeed surrounded by various Germanic tribes who shared some common lexical borrowings and pantheons, but many of their languages were mutually unintelligible for the most part.

From Realm of History

The Vector Space Model allows the user to query the search engine for “concepts” rather than a pure “lexical” search.

From Search Engine Land

Visitors, being human, often make typos or don’t know the exact words for what they want, which means they won’t get relevant results with a lexical search engine.

From Search Engine Watch

With that kind of commentary, small wonder Dan Savage decided to execute his devastating lexical takedown of the senator.

From The Daily Beast

All of these things are held to belong to the grammar of a language and to be grammatic methods, distinct from lexical elements.

From Project Gutenberg

The grammatical and lexical treatises of Hayyuj and Ibn Janah were also translated.

From Project Gutenberg

Two lexical works have been used as basic references in this translation.

From Project Gutenberg

It is therefore important to observe that Reitzenstein's lexical parallel utterly breaks down.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the lexical argument of Reitzenstein breaks down at the decisive points.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• rhetorical
• unwritten