linguistic
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to language
-
of or relating to linguistics
Other Word Forms
- linguistically adverb
- nonlinguistic adjective
- pseudolinguistic adjective
- pseudolinguistically adverb
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.
"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
But the naming rule laid a linguistic minefield that has been a source of friction with food regulators around Europe ever since.
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
Coyle first travelled to Afghanistan in the early 2000s "to survey Afghanistan's rich linguistic diversity and help Afghan communities develop resources in their own languages", they added.
From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026
Park was a dignified man in his midforties, but the linguistic fussiness annoyed and embarrassed Shin.
From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden
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.
