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
- antiscientific adjective
- antiscientifically adverb
- counterscientific adjective
- nonscientific adjective
- nonscientifically adverb
- prescientific adjective
- proscientific adjective
- quasi-scientific adjective
- quasi-scientifically adverb
- scientifically adverb
- superscientific adjective
- superscientifically adverb
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.
Even as Bell introduced a technology to revolutionize communication over wires, a scientific discovery was about to eliminate the need for wires altogether.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026
On the facade of an apartment block in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe, a giant mosaic depicting cosmonauts and engineers celebrates the scientific triumphs of the Soviet Union.
From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026
Despite the arrest, Grillmair figures prominently in conspiracy theories about the deaths and disappearances of about 10 people with connections to top-secret labs or scientific work.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
Now a robot named Ace has achieved another milestone for AI and robotics by defeating expert-level humans at table tennis in Tokyo, according to a study published Wednesday in the scientific journal Nature.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026
Take the phone, laptop, solar panel, battery charger, and other scientific equipment, and whatever else you have time for—but you are the only thing that matters.
From "Nim’s Island" by Wendy Orr
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.
