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.
Ordinary people acquire one more linguistic choice through which to signal agreement, resistance or exhausted indifference.
From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2026
"It really upends a theory that says that symbolic rule induction is not possible without linguistic capacities," says Kean.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026
Officials released the two notes on Friday, asking the public for help identifying the writer, whose "distinct linguistic characteristics may be recognisable".
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
Psychiatric researchers are referring to the confluence of three characteristics—sycophancy, linguistic alignment and hyperpersonalization—as the “amplification spiral,” suggesting it’s the mechanism by which delusional thinking can fester.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026
There are some features of linguistic change that are worth bearing in mind as we go on.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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.
