linguistic
Americanadjective
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of or relating to language
-
of or relating to linguistics
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of linguistic
Explanation
Use the adjective linguistic to describe anything related to language, like the linguistic difficulties you might have if you visit a place where you do not speak the same language as everyone else. The word linguistic combines the noun linguist, meaning "a master of language, one who uses his tongue freely," with the adjective suffix -ic. It describes something that’s related to language, such as a linguistic theory about why some people drop the g sound in saying words ending in -ing. Or, if you want to brag about how good your vocabulary is, then rave about your linguistic skills.
Vocabulary lists containing linguistic
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "J," "K," and "L"
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"A Night to Remember," Vocabulary from the history writing
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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.
Nobody forced Mr. Rousseau to make a video and demonstrate his linguistic shortcomings.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
"In the face of huge linguistic diversity, it is intriguing to find that languages don't evolve at random," says Verkerk.
From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026
A German MEP who had been pushing for a change after Brexit told the BBC in 2017 that the naming rules were "contrary to German linguistic tradition".
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Sauer therefore engaged in his first bit of linguistic legerdemain, telling the court, “ ‘Allegiance’ is what jurisdiction means.”
From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026
It was only with aspirin and something Fay concocted for me that I was able to finish my linguistic analysis of Urdu verb forms and send the paper to the International Linguistics Bulletin.
From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes
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.
