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.
To make it useful, Bending Spoons made it more scientific.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 11, 2026
Britain's national laboratories — the government-owned sites and expert teams that build and run the country's big scientific machines — face the deepest squeeze.
From BBC • Jul. 9, 2026
The newly reported findings focus on how gallium behaves at the atomic level, revealing properties that challenge decades of scientific understanding.
From Science Daily • Jul. 9, 2026
The majority’s use of such language is a deliberate choice rather than a scientific inevitability.
From Slate • Jul. 7, 2026
Cutting open Abraham Lincoln’s brain and body served little scientific purpose.
From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson
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.
