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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antiscientificallyadverb
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counterscientificadjective
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nonscientificadjective
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nonscientificallyadverb
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prescientificadjective
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proscientificadjective
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quasi-scientificadjective
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quasi-scientificallyadverb
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scientificallyadverb
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superscientificadjective
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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.
The Scientific Panel for the Global Energy Transition was amusingly dubbed the "Spaghetti" group because of its acronym -- SPGET.
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
The massive reptile lived around 47 million years ago in what is now Gujarat, India, according to research published in Scientific Reports.
From Science Daily • Apr. 29, 2026
The Site of Special Scientific Interest lies within Granville Local Nature Reserve and was given protected status in 1987.
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
A full dataset will be released at ADA Scientific Sessions in early June, which will provide a more in-depth evaluation of the results.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
Scientific progress and indeed progress of all kinds is often made at great cost, such as the sacrifice made by Henrietta Lacks.
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
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.
