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Synonyms

linguistics

American  
[ling-gwis-tiks] / lɪŋˈgwɪs tɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)
  1. the science of language, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and historical linguistics.


linguistics British  
/ lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪks /

noun

  1. (functioning as singular) the scientific study of language See also historical linguistics descriptive linguistics

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of linguistics

First recorded in 1850–55; linguistic, -ics

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.

To conduct their analysis, the team digitized the sign sequences into a database and evaluated them using tools from quantitative linguistics, including statistical modelling and machine learning classification algorithms.

From Science Daily • Feb. 25, 2026

Brad also enjoys writing essays and quirky features for the Journal and has tackled topics such as GLP-1 medicines, college sports recruiting, Jesus models, Gen Z linguistics and performative printer-bashing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

Like many college kids, Allaire became interested in the work of Noam Chomsky, an American scholar known for his work in linguistics, political activism and social criticism.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 14, 2025

Like “Babel,” which relied on Kuang’s knowledge of linguistics, “Katabasis” is rich and textured because of her knowledge of the subject, her deep familiarity with its shape and philosophy.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2025

Unfortunately, it’s only a legend; the recursive title was dreamed up by the linguist Robin Lakoff for a satire of a linguistics journal.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker