semantic

[ si-man-tik ]

/ sɪˈmæn tɪk /

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See synonyms for semantic on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, relating to, or arising from the different meanings of words or other symbols: semantic change; semantic confusion.

of or relating to semantics.

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

Sometimes se·man·ti·cal

[si-man-ti-kuhl] /sɪˈmæn tɪ kəl/ .

Origin of semantic

First recorded in 1655–65; from Greek sēmantikós “having meaning,” equivalent to sēmant(ós) “marked” (sēman-, base of sēmaínein “to show, mark” + -tos verbal adjective suffix; akin to sêma “sign”) + -ikos -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM semantic

se·man·ti·cal·ly, adverbnon·se·man·tic, adjectivepseu·do·se·man·tic, adjective

Words nearby semantic

Sem, semainier, semaise, Semang, semanteme, semantic, semantically, semantic differential, semantic field, semantic memory, semantics

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use semantic in a sentence

Our data indicate that they’re using how content is structured and semantic analysis to figure out what should appear as a featured snippet.
How to become a master of featured snippets|Mark Webster|September 3, 2020|Search Engine Watch
Christi Olson, Head of Evangelism at Microsoft, noted “semantic intent,” that it all “goes back to intent” she said.
Why machine learning and understanding searcher intent is so important to search|Barry Schwartz|August 18, 2020|Search Engine Land
In our interview with Microsoft’s Christi Olson and Fabrice Canal, on Live with Search Engine Land about What SEOs need to know about Bing Webmaster Guidelines, we spoke about how Bing ranks content and the importance of semantic and searcher intent.
Why machine learning and understanding searcher intent is so important to search|Barry Schwartz|August 18, 2020|Search Engine Land
Low semantic density is a telltale sign that a patient might be at risk of psychosis.
Machines can spot mental health issues—if you hand over your personal data|Bobbie Johnson|August 13, 2020|MIT Technology Review

I noticed a little semantic difference back in April when parents were in the throes of “online learning.”
The Learning Curve: The Dystopian Future of ‘Learning Pods’|Will Huntsberry|July 16, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Howard Kurtz on the semantic dodge that now lets them get away with it.
The New Era of Evolution Helps Pols Switch Stance on Issues from Gay Marriage to Immigration|Howard Kurtz|April 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But as I wrote last week, you cannot use semantic games to do an end run around an enumerated constitutional right.
Should People Be Forced to Buy Liability Insurance for their Guns?|Megan McArdle|December 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Except for one thing: you can't do an end-run around an enumerated right with some sort of semantic game.
You Can't Save Gun Control With Word Games|Megan McArdle|December 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But is that kind of semantic argument going to persuade large numbers of swing voters to turn on Obama?
The GOP's Candy Strategy|Howard Kurtz|October 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps semantic, but Newt quickly apologized to Ryan anyway.
Biggest 2012 Campaign Whoppers|Daniel Stone|July 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Note that text format (bold or italic) has semantic meaning in this volume.
Selections from Early Middle English 1130-1250: Part II: Notes|Various
"Setting up those semantic reaction tests you gave him," Fern said.
Exploiter's End|James Causey
Oldsters, in whom the term "atomic energy" produced semantic reactions associated with Hiroshima.
Day of the Moron|Henry Beam Piper
That's what gives the Kragans an entirely different semantic orientation.
Uller Uprising|Henry Beam Piper, John D. Clark and John F. Carr
In some languages vocalic changes, in others consonantal, have grammatical or semantic meaning.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 4|Various

British Dictionary definitions for semantic

semantic

/ (sɪˈmæntɪk) /

adjective

of or relating to meaning or arising from distinctions between the meanings of different words or symbols

of or relating to semantics

logic concerned with the interpretation of a formal theory, as when truth tables are given as an account of the sentential connectives

Derived forms of semantic

semantically, adverb

Word Origin for semantic

C19: from Greek sēmantikos having significance, from sēmainein to signify, from sēma a sign

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

semantic

Origin of semantic

OTHER WORDS FROM semantic

Words nearby semantic

Words related to semantic

How to use semantic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for semantic

Derived forms of semantic

Word Origin for semantic