semiotic
Americanadjective
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of or relating to signs.
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of or relating to semiotics.
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Medicine/Medical. of or relating to symptoms; symptomatic.
noun
adjective
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relating to signs and symbols, esp spoken or written signs
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relating to semiotics
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of, relating to, or resembling the symptoms of disease; symptomatic
Etymology
Origin of semiotic
First recorded in 1615–20; from Greek sēmeiōtikós “observant of (medical) signs, significant,” equivalent to sēmeiō-, verbal stem of sēmeioûn “to interpret as a sign” (derivative of Greek sēmeîon “sign”) + -tikos adjective suffix; cf. semantic ( def. ), -ic ( def. )
Explanation
Use the adjective semiotic to describe something that has to do with the study of symbols. You're most likely to come across the word semiotic in a college linguistics class. The study of signs, analogies, metaphors, symbolism — and the way they're used in language to aid communication — is called semiotics. Anything having to do with this field is semiotic. The Greek word semeiotikos means "observant of signs," and its root is sema, or "sign."
Vocabulary lists containing semiotic
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.
A type of rare semiotic unity had been achieved.
From Salon • Jul. 27, 2025
“I feel like having a direct line to the senses from a marketing standpoint is so important because it’s a nonverbal, it’s a semiotic vehicle,” Loranger said.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 21, 2023
Virtually all works of art are created within a web of context, allusion and semiotic interconnection.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2021
Did any other single sound on Earth undergo a more complete semiotic switcheroo this year than the modest car horn?
From Washington Post • Dec. 7, 2020
What dangerous mistakes premature use of such things may lead to is evident in the teaching of the Italian positivistic school, which defines itself also as psychopathic semiotic.
From Criminal Psychology; a manual for judges, practitioners, and students by Gross, Hans Gustav Adolf
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.
