scientific
Americanadjective
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of or relating to science or the sciences.
scientific studies.
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occupied or concerned with science.
scientific experts.
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regulated by or conforming to the principles of exact science.
scientific procedures.
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systematic or accurate in the manner of an exact science.
adjective
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(prenominal) of, relating to, derived from, or used in science
scientific equipment
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(prenominal) occupied in science
scientific manpower
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conforming with the principles or methods used in science
a scientific approach
Other Word Forms
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antiscientificadjective
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counterscientificadjective
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nonscientificadjective
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prescientificadjective
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proscientificadjective
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quasi-scientificadjective
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superscientificadjective
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antiscientificallyadverb
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nonscientificallyadverb
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quasi-scientificallyadverb
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scientificallyadverb
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superscientificallyadverb
Etymology
Origin of scientific
1580–90; < Medieval Latin scientificus, equivalent to scient- ( see science) + -i - -i- + -ficus -fic
Explanation
Things that are scientific are based on the principles and methods of science. Scientific evidence is the result of study and experimentation, not opinions and guesses. If you want to prove something, finding scientific support is your best bet. The scientific method is the surest way to study and learn about things because it involves experiments, research, and careful analysis of the facts. Scientific evidence is more than an opinion or a wish — it's been studied and supported by some of our best minds. Anyone can have an opinion, but it doesn't mean much without scientific studies to back it up.
Vocabulary lists containing scientific
Reading: Informational - Introductory
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UCPS 6th Grade Roots List #13
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ic
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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.
Throughout these tales, the careers of eminent scientific figures intertwine with the lives of ordinary people.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
Then comes a bevy of scientific instruments, a small nuclear engine, and shiny orange foam to keep the instruments warm in space.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026
Its unusual scientific importance became apparent when crinoid specialists Drs. Cole and Wright examined the specimen closely during a research visit.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026
Ludovic Ravanel of France's national scientific research centre CNRS, said high temperatures were melting "invisible" ice in cracks, which had held rocks together, leading to them falling.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
Basically, we’re supposed to observe something that interests us and spend all year applying the scientific process to our capital-Q Question.
From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller
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.
