phatic

[ fat-ik ]

/ ˈfæt ɪk /

Save This Word!

adjective

denoting speech used to express or create an atmosphere of shared feelings, goodwill, or sociability rather than to impart information: phatic communion.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of phatic

1923; probably <Greek phat(ós) spoken, capable of being spoken (verbid of phánai to speak; cf. prophet) + -ic; coined (in phrase phatic communion) by Bronislaw Malinowski

Words nearby phatic

phasing, phasis, phasmid, phasor, phat, phatic, Ph.B., Ph. C., Ph.D., Phe, pheasant

British Dictionary definitions for phatic

phatic

/ (ˈfætɪk) /

adjective

(of speech, esp of conversational phrases) used to establish social contact and to express sociability rather than specific meaning

Word Origin for phatic

C20: from Greek phat (os) spoken + -ic

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